BBC WM - Familiar voices from 40 years of broadcasting

Alan Dedicoat still works for the BBC and is also the Voice of the National Lottery balls

BBC WM, the BBC's local radio station for the West Midlands, has lined up a host of familiar names to help celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Tuesday, 9 November 2010 marks the station's big birthday.

Former presenters including Les Ross, Nick Owen and Malcolm Boyden will be back on air and joining the station's current line-up.

BBC WM will be reflecting on the past four decades and looking to what the future holds for the region.

Early days

Les Ross auditioned to be on BBC Radio Birmingham

BBC WM started life as BBC Radio Birmingham broadcasting from the Pebble Mill studios in Edgbaston.

In November 1981 Radio Birmingham changed its name to BBC Radio WM (the 'radio' was later dropped) and in 2004 led the BBC's big move to its new home at the Mailbox in Birmingham city centre.

Over the years many different presenters have taken to BBC Birmingham's/BBC WM's airwaves and some of those familiar voices will be returning as part of the station's 40th Birthday celebrations.

Blast from the past

Les Ross will dropping in on Phil Upton's Breakfast show.

Les began his Radio Birmingham career co-presenting with John Henry on Saturdays before becoming breakfast show host.

Tony Wadsworth and Stuart Linnell will also be joining in the celebrations.

Malcolm Boyden (right) will be joining Ed Doolan

Mid-morning presenter Joanne Malin will be welcoming a number of former presenters including the 'Voice of the Balls' Alan Dedicoat, Sally James and Midlands Today presenter Nick Owen who worked on BBC Radio Birmingham for five years from 1974.

Future debate

Malcolm Boyden will be back sharing the airwaves with Ed Doolan on the Lunchtime show and then standby for Danny Kelly who'll be joined by Rustie Lee who presented on Sunday afternoons in the early 90s.

Paul Franks at Drivetime will be helped out by Jon Gaunt, sports presenter Simon Brotherton and Gyn Freeman from the 206 Team.

So, listen out for presenters past and current as well as audio and jingles from the station's sound archive on 95.6FM and DAB.

Then on Friday, 12 November BBC WM will broadcast highlights from a special recorded debate that looks back at the last four decades but also focuses on what the future holds for the West Midlands.

Jasper Carrott and Professor Carl Chinn are among the panel guests.