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Radio 2 celebrates 40th anniversary with search for Ultimate Icon
As part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2 is inviting its
listeners to vote for their Ultimate Icon – an enduring personality that
they believe best represents popular culture over the past four decades.
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Nominations for the voting have opened and the winner
will be announced on Radio 2 on Sunday 30 September 2007 during a special
day of programming to mark the network's 40th birthday.
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Terry Wogan introduces a variety of Radio 2 highlights from the past 40
years including a special recording of Pick Of The Pops With Smashie And
Nicey; the chance to hear a previously 'lost' live performance from Paul
Simon; an edition of The Kenny Everett Radio Show; classic comedy from
Round The Horne and the return of Paul Hollingdale, Ed Stewart and
Michael Aspel to the network.
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Lesley Douglas, Controller, Radio 2, says: "This special day will give
listeners old and new a chance to sample some of the gems of the past 40
years.
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"To welcome back some of the stars from the original line-up, to
re-live some of the musical and comic gems is really exciting.
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"And, of
course, I am thrilled that Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse have agreed
to bring back Smashie and Nicey for a one off Pick Of The Pops special."
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Programme schedule for Sunday 30 September
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Breakfast Special With Paul Hollingdale, 9.00-9.55am
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Paul Hollingdale – the first voice heard on Radio 2 – returns to present
a special edition of Breakfast Special, featuring music played on that
first programme 40 years ago, and sharing memories of life in the studio. Ìý
Five To Ten, 9.55-10.00am
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A recording of Paul Simon performing a live version of I Am A Rock from
1965 features in this new edition of Five To Ten – a predecessor to the
current Pause For Thought – presented by Colin Semper. The former 91Èȱ¬
Head of Religious Broadcasting presented Five To Ten on Radio 2's first day. Ìý
Junior Choice With Ed Stewart, 10.00-11.00am
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Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart returns with a special edition of the hugely popular
listener request show, Junior Choice. Ìý
The Kenny Everett Radio Show, 11.00am-1.00pm
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Kenny Everett, one of the iconic figures of British radio, returned to
the 91Èȱ¬ in October 1981 after a spell in commercial radio. This programme
is the first show he presented on Radio 2, broadcast on 3 October 1981,
and contains Everett's unique mix of madcap humour and music. Ìý
Family Favourites With Michael Aspel, 1.00-2.30pm
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Michael Aspel presents an edition of the weekly record request show that
started life on the Light Programme in 1945 linking London with the
British Forces Network in Germany.
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Radio 2 invites listeners to submit
requests and dedications through the Radio 2 website (bbc.co.uk/radio2)
or send to 91Èȱ¬ Radio 2, Western House, 99 Great Portland Street, London,
W1A 4WW.
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During the show, Michael announces the winner of Radio 2's Ultimate
Icon vote - the person Radio 2 listeners feel best represents the past
four decades. Ìý
Pick Of The Pops With Smashie And Nicey, 2.30-4.30pm
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Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse resurrect their spoof DJs Smashie and
Nicey for a one-off two-hour Pick Of The Pops special, running down the
chart from the last week of September 1967.
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The Top 10 features records
by Cliff Richard, Tom Jones, Traffic, The Flowerpot Men, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Small Faces and The Move, climaxing in the number one
record – The Last Waltz by Engelbert Humperdinck. Ìý
Brian Matthew, 4.30-6.30pm
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Brian Matthew presents a Birthday Special, guiding listeners through the
Sixties with favourite music tracks and revealing interviews and anecdotes
about the stars of the period, who were often personal friends.
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As well as landmark music releases from the decade, Brian will play
archive interviews with the individual Beatles, Cilla Black, Dusty
Springfield, Marianne Faithfull, Pete Townshend (talking of his ambitions
to one day write a rock opera), Graham Nash, Chris Curtis, Matt Monro,
Colin Blunstone and Petula Clark.
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The interviews were often recorded very early in the star's careers. Many
of the star interviews have not been heard before in the UK.
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Semprini Serenade, 6.30-7.30pm
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"Old Ones, New Ones, Loved Ones, Neglected Ones..." So began a programme
that was part of the 91Èȱ¬ Light Programme and later Radio 2 for more than
25 years and 700 programmes.
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Pianist Alberto Semprini was born in Bath,
but was of Italian extraction, and entertained a large and loyal audience
with his brand of light classical music. This edition of Semprini
Serenade featuring Semprini and the Serenade Orchestra, conducted by
Vilem Tausky, was broadcast on 24 January 1971.
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Round The Horne, 7.30-8.00pm
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Round The Horne is one of the classic 91Èȱ¬ radio comedies. Radio 2 was
only a few months old when it broadcast series four. This edition, Frankenstein's Monster, was first broadcast on 10 March 1968.
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Sing Something Simple, 8.00-8.30pm
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Sing Something Simple – "songs simply sung for song-lovers" – was a radio
institution for over 40 years, first on the Light Programme, and then on
Radio 2.
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It featured half an hour of easy listening arrangements of
popular songs performed by the Cliff Adams Singers. The programme came to
an end with the death of Cliff Adams in October 2001. Ìý
This edition
featured in Radio 2's 40th birthday celebrations and was originally broadcast
on 16 March 2000.
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Radio 2 Publicity
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