Here’s how Tony Ingham and Brian Beech wrote Piccadilly Radio’s 50th-anniversary story

“My wife and I both sent letters into ‘Making Friends’ hosted by John Mundy in the early 80s.

“I remember meeting a female spot welder from Altrincham and a snooty nurse from Salford who didn’t appreciate my choice of a night out at Pembroke Halls in Walkden watching a comedian.

“Both were disasters, but it didn’t stop me sending a letter to ‘Janet from Wigan’ and after three months and some disastrous dates herself, she rang me, and we arranged to meet on a wintry night in January 1982.

“We met and got on like we had always known each other and had so much in common we even put the same song on the pub jukebox.

“We had both been married before although we were only in our 20s so in no rush to get serious, but after three months I proposed, and Janet (Janice, actually!) accepted, and we have just celebrated our fortieth anniversary back in May of this year.

“I was going through some paperwork recently and came across the original letter I wrote to Janice back in 1981 using my middle name John.

Brian: “Live radio was not without its potential disasters, but the ‘seven seconds’ delay’ was always available to ‘dump’ what was being broadcast, to avoid the listener being subjected to some profanity or some sort of sexual titillation.

“Phone-ins were part of Piccadilly’s DNA – sport, medical, political, gardening, DIY. One evening, Tom Tyrell hosted a DIY phone-in.

‘‘228 6262 for all your DIY queries. We’re here until seven o’clock, so phone now. 228 6262.’’

“In the master control room, a bored producer i.e., myself, was putting calls through without much vetting.

“There was no need for the ‘seven seconds’ delay’.

This was a DIY phone-in, so nothing contentious or controversial would be said.

‘‘Okay, on the line I’ve got Jim from Wythenshawe. How can our DIY expert help you, Jim?’’ Tom asked.

‘‘Well, it’s this piece of wood, Tom,’’ Jim replied.

‘‘Okay and what is it about this piece of wood, Jim?’’ Tom asked again.

‘‘I’ve got me d**k stuck in it, Tom …’’ came the reply.

“Quarter to seven on a Tuesday night and some bloke in Wythenshawe has got his d**k stuck in a piece of wood.”

As you reflect on Piccadilly Radio’s legacy, what do you believe is the station’s lasting impact on the radio industry and Greater Manchester?

Brian: “Good question.

“Ask anyone of a ‘certain age’ what their memories of Piccadilly Radio are and, without exception, they are always fond and positive memories.

“Think of the talent that came through the ranks at Piccadilly.  Not just presenters, but film producers, award-winning journalists, entrepreneurs…and me and Tony.

“Obviously, the radio industry has changed dramatically in the past 50 years, but Piccadilly Radio was in the right place at the right time with the right people.  One listener, Stuart Littlewood, sums it up perfectly:

“I remember fondly the days of Piccadilly Radio in Manchester.

“Local radio played such an important role in our lives.  It gave us our local travel and weather information.

“It gave local businesses the opportunity to advertise and reach a wider market.

“It informed us of major concerts and shows that were taking part in the Northwest.

“It made us feel ‘connected’ in a way that national radio could not deliver.

” It also introduced us to some great presenters who were real characters with their own style.  They became our friends and made us listeners feel special, as no one else outside the Northwest could hear how great they were.

“We would dance around the kitchen to new songs, then soon enough they’d be playing in the nightclubs and discos.  Writing these words whilst listening to these classic songs makes me want to hear this music again and again.’ – Stuart Littlewood

Can you tell us about some of the challenges and successes in the early days of Piccadilly Radio, from winning the franchise to building its audience?

Tony: “When it comes to the early days of Piccadilly Radio, winning the franchise and building our audience, it was quite a challenge.

“In 1974, the government was facing the miners’ strike, resulting in a three-day workweek and power shortages.

“We were constructing the station during this difficult period. Our studios were incomplete, and we relied on paraffin heaters to keep warm. However, these challenges instilled a sense of camaraderie and a siege mentality among us.

“We built strong bonds and trusted each other to get the job done. Egos faded away quickly.

“Despite being in our twenties and many of us having never worked in radio before, we instinctively knew how the station should operate.

“We had the flexibility to turn ideas into reality swiftly.

“There was a period known as the “Golden Years” when Piccadilly Radio achieved tremendous success.

“We had a lineup of talented presenters, including Susie Mathis, Mike Sweeney, and Timmy Mallet.

“For five years, we were the biggest thing in town, and it seemed like everything we did worked. It was a remarkable time for the station.