Tom Edwards (broadcaster)
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Tom Edwards (born 20 March 1945) is a British radio presenter and television announcer.
Early radio career
Born in Norwich, Edwards began work as a journalist, then became the announcer on the Border Television programme Beat the Border. He worked for Radio City and Radio Caroline in the 1960s, and later for BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, presenting the early Saturday morning show on the latter in the 1970s and early 1980s.[1] In 1968, Edwards replaced Simon Dee on "Midday Spin" on Radio 1 and Radio 2.[2] In the 1970s, he worked as a presenter on BBC East's daily morning regional opt-outs from the Today programme on BBC Radio 4.[3]
TV career
Edwards was the in-vision announcer for Thames Television for most of the 1980s, also working for ATV and HTV West. In the late 1980s, he moved to the United States, but soon returned to Britain. He worked on BBC Radio Norfolk in the 1990s. He has appeared occasionally on Saga Radio. He presented shows on Pirate BBC Essex on board the LV18 ship in 2004 and 2007. The Easter Bank Holiday weekend 2009 was the 45th anniversary of Radio Caroline - Edwards returned to Pirate BBC Essex on board the LV18 at Ha'penny Pier in Harwich.[citation needed]
Later career
In April 2009, Edwards and David Clayton, editor of BBC Radio Norfolk, compiled an hour-long story of his life. Edwards The Confessor was broadcast on Monday 31 August. Edwards followed with two hours of music from his pirate radio days and those of Radios 1 and 2. He has written an autobiography, suggested by Bob Monkhouse when they worked on the television series Wipeout in the late 1990s.
Personal life
Edwards lives in the village of Heckington in Lincolnshire.[4]
His autobiography, "Is Anybody There" was published by Kaleidoscope on 8 December 2018. Edwards used to open his show by knocking on the microphone three times and saying "is anybody there?" During an interview to promote the book, he said, "My book is a turbulent read but I hope you enjoy it and you can join me on a journey that took me here, there and just about everywhere."[5]
The book highlights his varied career as a DJ in pirate and commercial radio, as a TV broadcaster working for the BBC and several other TV companies, as well as a period in Hollywood. The book also delves into Edwards' personal battle with alcohol and drug addiction, which he successfully overcame after spending three years in rehab.[6][7]
Further References
Notes and references
- ^ offshoreradio.co.uk's Pirate Radio Hall of Fame
- ^ On The Radio: New Book by Veteran Broadcaster Tom Edwards (retrieved 8 December 2018): https://ontheradio.co.uk/2018/11/new-book-by-veteran-broadcaster-tom-edwards-is-a-turbulent-read/
- ^ "BBC Radio Norfolk's 25th anniversary". BBC.co.uk. 9 September 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ TV Ark 10th anniversary video
- ^ On The Radio: New Book by Veteran Broadcaster Tom Edwards (retrieved 8 December 2018): https://ontheradio.co.uk/2018/11/new-book-by-veteran-broadcaster-tom-edwards-is-a-turbulent-read/
- ^ Is Anyone There?: http://tom-edwards.co.uk/is-anybody-there/
- ^ Ipswich Star (retrieved 8 December 2018) Tom Edwards Autobiography published: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/tom-edwards-autobiography-from-radio-1-and-hollywood-to-homeless-in-norwich-1-5791543
- ^ BBC – Tom Edwards at 70: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02mpm93/p02mplwp
- ^ The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame Disc Jockeys: http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk/djse2h.htm
- ^ British radio presenter and television announcer Tom Edwards, UK, 26 June 1966: https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/british-radio-presenter-and-television-announcer-tom-news-photo/1014131824?#british-radio-presenter-and-television-announcer-tom-edwards-uk-26th-picture-id1014131824