Tom Edwards (broadcaster)
Tom Edwards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 20 March 1945 Norwich, England |
| Died | 25 October 2025 (aged 80) Lincoln, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1960s–2025 |
| Known for | |
| Notable work | Is Anybody There (autobiography) |
Tom Edwards (20 March 1945 – 25 October 2025) was a British radio presenter and television announcer, best known for his work on offshore pirate radio stations Radio City and Radio Caroline in the 1960s, as well as his later career with BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, and various television networks, including Thames Television, ATV, and HTV West. He started his career as a journalist for the Eastern Evening News before transitioning to broadcasting, becoming a prominent voice on British radio. Edwards also worked as a television newsreader and announcer, and later overcame personal struggles with alcoholism, chronicling his life in his autobiography Is Anybody There.
Early life and career
[edit]Born in Norwich, Edwards began work as a journalist writing for the Eastern Evening News before successfully auditioning for the role of presenter on the Border Television music programme Beat in the Border[1] and then becoming a Pontins Bluecoat.[2]
Between 1965 and 1967 he worked for offshore pirate radio stations Radio City, where he became the station's chief disc jockey, and Radio Caroline.[3]
He joined the BBC in late 1967 working as a television newsreader and presenter on BBC Look East and in 1968–1969 on the Saturday morning BBC East regional radio programme Happy Weekend, Everybody. In 1970 he presented the weekday morning regional opt-outs from the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 called This is East Anglia.[4][5][6]
In 1968 Edwards also started working for BBC Radio 1 initially replacing Simon Dee on Midday Spin, later becoming a staff announcer and newsreader on both Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2.[7][8] During the 1970s he presented a number of Radio 2 programmes including the weekday and Saturday Early Show, Night Ride, Music Through Midnight, Radio 2 Ballroom and shows featuring the BBC Radio Orchestra.
Edwards was an in-vision announcer for Thames Television for most of the 1980s, also working for ATV and HTV West. He worked on BBC Radio Norfolk in the 1990s. After recovering from alcoholism, his friend Bob Monkhouse gave him a job as the voiceover artist on the game show Wipeout in the late 1990s.[9]
In 2009, Edwards and David Clayton, editor of BBC Radio Norfolk, compiled an hour-long story of his life titled Edwards the Confessor.[10]
Personal life and death
[edit]Edwards lived in the village of Heckington in Lincolnshire for nearly 30 years and moved to Lincoln shortly before his death to be nearer to medical facilities.[11]
His autobiography, "Is Anybody There" was published by Kaleidoscope on 8 December 2018. Edwards used to open his radio 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."[12]
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 a rehabilitation centre in Lincolnshire.[13][14]
Edwards died in a hospice in Lincoln in October 2025, aged 80, after a long battle with cancer.[15][16]
References
[edit]- ^ Evans, Jeff (2016). Rock & Pop on British TV. Omnibus Press. p. 59. ISBN 978-1-78305-795-5.
- ^ Tracy, Sheila (1983). Who's Who on Radio. World's Work Ltd. p. 40. ISBN 0-437-17600-2.
- ^ Skues, Keith (2009). Pop Went the Pirates II (2nd ed.). Lambs' Meadow Publications. pp. 253–255. ISBN 978-0-907398-05-9.
- ^ "BBC Radio Norfolk's 25th anniversary". BBC. 9 September 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
- ^ "BBC Radio Norfolk – Radio in a Roundabout Way". Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Offshore disc-jockeys of the 60s". offshoreradio.co.uk.
- ^ "BBC Programme Index". Tom Edwards with his Midday Spin. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ Rider, David (1977). Happy Birthday Radio 1 – Ten Years 1967-77. Everest Books Ltd. ISBN 0905018-818.
- ^ "There is life after alcoholism". BBC News. 29 May 2006.
- ^ "BBC Radio Norfolk – Edwards the Confessor". Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Veteran broadcaster selling off over 50 years in showbiz". Lincolnshire World. 27 February 2022.
- ^ "New book by veteran broadcaster Tom Edwards is a turbulent read". ontheradio.co.uk. 26 November 2018.
- ^ "Is Anybody There?". tom-edwards.co.uk.
- ^ "From BBC news reader to destitute drunk on the streets of Norwich – Tom Edwards' starry highs and desperate lows". Eastern Daily Press. 26 November 2018.
- ^ "Former broadcaster Tom Edwards has died at the age of 80". Radio Today.
- ^ Elworthy, Jon (29 October 2025). "Tom Edwards (1945–2025): Pirate radio pioneer, BBC stalwart, and TV voice of an era". Peterborough and Cambridgeshire News. Archived from the original on 1 November 2025. Retrieved 1 November 2025.