Listeners fight to save Radio Berkshire presenter Roger Day (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Former Radio Caroline DJ due to be axed

9:00am Thursday 23rd August 2012 in Local By Chris Yandell, Chief Reporter, New Forest

OUTRAGED music fans across the south have launched a campaign to prevent popular Radio Berkshire night-time presenter Roger Day from being taken off the air.

The former Radio Caroline DJ is due to be axed as part of a major cost-cutting drive by the BBC, which is having to slash its budget by 20 per cent.

Regional evening shows on Radio Berkshire and other stations are being scrapped at the end of the year and replaced by a new national programme.

A message on Roger’s website says: “The good news is that BBC local daytime programmes are staying much the same.

“The bad news is that from the end of this year, my programme, and all the other presenters who host the 7pm to 10pm shows on local radio around the country, will be replaced by a national programme.”

Musician Drew Jaymson has launched an online petition to save the 67-year-old presenter, known as the “voice of weekday evenings”.

Drew said: “The BBC is proposing dramatic cuts to local radio services across England. If they go ahead, it could result in many of our favourite programmes being removed, including the Roger Day Evening Show.

“Roger’s show is regarded by many recording artists as an important platform to talk about their music and live performances.

“Not only is it excellent fun and informative but he clearly has a love for all music, which is what’s sadly lacking on music shows these days.

“I’m tired of hearing the same songs played over and over again on the more mainstream stations, each one sounding much like the one before, like it’s the same track on one continuous loop. And that’s the kind of thing we will be subjected to if this goes ahead.”

Earlier this year, BBC director-general Mark Thompson defended the corporation’s plans, saying the BBC Trust backed most of the proposals.

“They support the way we have set out balancing the financial challenge we face with an unwavering commitment to quality programming,” he said.

Roger Day – real name Roger Thomas – appeared on Southern TV’s Pop The Question music quiz in 1965. He joined Radio Caroline two years later before switching to Radio Luxembourg.

Supporters of the campaign to keep him on the air are being urged to email Mr Thompson and the controller of BBC Radio, David Holdsworth.