1951 in British radio explained

This is a list of events from British radio in 1951.

Events

1 January – The Archers production series debuts on the BBC Light Programme; it will still be broadcast 70 years later as the world's longest-running radio "soap".^[1]
2 July – The English language programmes of Radio Luxembourg move from long wave to the medium wave frequency of 208 metres (1439 kHz).
August – Tony Hancock joins the cast of Educating Archie as Archie's tutor (until January 1952).^[2]

Debuts

28 May – The Goon Show (as Crazy People), on the BBC Home Service (1951–1960)^[3]
2 July – The New Adventures of Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, on Radio Luxembourg (1951–1956)^[4]

Continuing radio programmes

1930s

In Town Tonight (1933–1960)

1940s

Music While You Work (1940–1967)
Sunday Half Hour (1940–2018)
Desert Island Discs (1942–Present)
Family Favourites (1945–1980)
Down Your Way (1946–1992)
Have A Go (1946–1967)
Housewives' Choice (1946–1967)
Letter from America (1946–2004)
Woman's Hour (1946–Present)
Twenty Questions (1947–1976)
Any Questions? (1948–Present)
Mrs Dale's Diary (1948–1969)
Take It from Here (1948–1960)
Billy Cotton Band Show (1949–1968)
A Book at Bedtime (1949–Present)
Ray's a Laugh (1949–1961)

1950s

Educating Archie (1950–1960)
Listen with Mother (1950–1982)

Births

2 February – Ken Bruce, Scottish radio presenter
1 March – Mike Read, DJ
13 May – James Whale, radio presenter
14 May – Max Reinhardt, music presenter
24 June – David Rodigan, DJ
9 August – James Naughtie, Scottish journalist and radio presenter
10 September – Sally Grace, actress
20 September – John Lloyd, comedy producer

See also

Notes and References

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/the-archers/content/anniversary/ BBC Radio 4: Celebrating 60 Years of The Archers (2011).
Web site: Radio. The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society. 2022-11-16.
Book: Penguin Pocket On This Day. Penguin Reference Library. 0-14-102715-0. 2006.
Web site: Dan Dare’s Holy Grail: Radio Luxembourg’s Dan Dare Radio Show. John. Freeman. 2008-04-03. downthetubes.net. 2022-11-16.