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Piccadilly Radio 261: The Home of Manchester’s Iconic Radio Legacy The sound of Manchester — done our way.
The Legends
Eight Icons Who Started at Piccadilly Radio
Before they became household names across the nation, they honed their craft right here in Manchester. These broadcasting legends all share one thing in common: Piccadilly Radio launched their careers.
Where Stars Were Born
Piccadilly Radio was not just a radio station - it was a talent factory. From the 1970s through the 2000s, we gave opportunities to young, hungry broadcasters who would go on to dominate British media.
Chris Evans. Timmy Mallett. Mark Radcliffe. Karl Pilkington. These are not just names - they are proof that Piccadilly Radio had an eye for talent and the courage to let them shine.
Chris Evans
Piccadilly Radio • 1980s
The ginger-haired phenomenon who would become one of Britain's biggest broadcasting stars started his career right here at Piccadilly Radio. Chris Evans brought energy, irreverence, and a work ethic that was unmatched.
From Piccadilly, he went on to conquer BBC Radio 1, create the legendary TFI Friday, and eventually take over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. But it all started in Manchester.
🎯 Career Highlights
BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show • TFI Friday • Radio 2 Breakfast Show • Top Gear Presenter • Multi-millionaire media mogul
Timmy Mallett
Piccadilly Radio • 1980s
Utterly bonkers. Completely brilliant. Timmy Mallett brought chaos, color, and Pinky Punky to Piccadilly Radio before becoming a children's TV legend. His energy was infectious, his creativity boundless.
From Piccadilly, Timmy went on to create Wacaday and Mallett's Mallet, becoming one of the most recognizable faces on British children's television. But Manchester heard him first.
🎯 Career Highlights
Wacaday • Wide Awake Club • Mallett's Mallet • Children's TV Icon • Artist & Author
Mark Radcliffe
Piccadilly Radio • 1980s-1990s
The voice of alternative Britain. Mark Radcliffe (aka "Lard") brought wit, warmth, and a genuine love of music to Piccadilly Radio. His partnership with Marc Riley became the stuff of legend.
From Piccadilly, Mark moved to BBC Radio 1 and then Radio 2, where he championed new music and became one of the most respected broadcasters in the UK. A true Manchester legend.
🎯 Career Highlights
BBC Radio 1 • BBC Radio 2 • BBC 6 Music • Mark & Lard • Music Champion • Author
Gary Davies
Piccadilly Radio • 1970s-1980s
The smooth operator. Gary Davies brought professionalism, charm, and an encyclopedic knowledge of pop music to Piccadilly Radio. His voice became synonymous with the 1980s.
From Piccadilly, Gary moved to BBC Radio 1, where he hosted the legendary Bit in the Middle show and became one of the station's most popular presenters throughout the 80s and 90s.
🎯 Career Highlights
BBC Radio 1 • Bit in the Middle • Top 40 Countdown • 80s Icon • Smooth Radio
Andy Peebles
Piccadilly Radio • 1970s
The man who interviewed John Lennon. Andy Peebles was a consummate professional who brought gravitas and credibility to Piccadilly Radio. His interviewing skills were second to none.
From Piccadilly, Andy moved to BBC Radio 1, where he conducted the final interview with John Lennon just two days before his death - one of the most important interviews in music history.
🎯 Career Highlights
BBC Radio 1 • Final John Lennon Interview • Music Documentaries • Broadcasting Legend
Steve Penk
Piccadilly Radio • 1980s-1990s
The prankster king. Steve Penk brought mischief, mayhem, and brilliant wind-up calls to Piccadilly Radio. His "Penk's Pranks" became legendary - fooling celebrities and politicians alike.
From Piccadilly, Steve became one of the most successful commercial radio presenters in the UK, taking his pranks to Capital FM and beyond. His wind-ups are still talked about today.
🎯 Career Highlights
Penk's Pranks • Capital FM • Commercial Radio Success • Celebrity Wind-Ups • Breakfast Show Legend
Karl Pilkington
Piccadilly Radio • 1990s-2000s
The accidental genius. Karl Pilkington started as a producer at Piccadilly Radio, where his unique worldview and deadpan delivery caught the attention of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
From Piccadilly, Karl became a global phenomenon through The Ricky Gervais Show, An Idiot Abroad, and The Moaning of Life. His Manchester logic conquered the world.
🎯 Career Highlights
The Ricky Gervais Show • An Idiot Abroad • The Moaning of Life • Author • Global Cult Icon
Nick Robinson
Piccadilly Radio • 1980s
From Manchester to Westminster. Nick Robinson started his broadcasting career at Piccadilly Radio before becoming one of Britain's most respected political journalists and broadcasters.
From Piccadilly, Nick rose to become BBC Political Editor and now presents Radio 4's Today programme. His journey from local radio to the corridors of power is remarkable.
🎯 Career Highlights
BBC Political Editor • Radio 4 Today Programme • ITV Political Editor • Award-Winning Journalist
The Piccadilly Legacy
Eight legends. One radio station. This is not coincidence - this is proof that Piccadilly Radio was a breeding ground for excellence.
We gave them the platform. We gave them the freedom. We gave them the opportunity to fail, to learn, to grow. And they became national treasures.
Remember These Legends?
Did you listen to Chris Evans on Piccadilly Radio? Did Timmy Mallett make you laugh? Did you hear Karl Pilkington before he was famous?
Share your memories with us. Help us preserve the legacy of the station that launched these incredible careers.
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