Ed Doolan

Ed Doolan (born 20 July 1941) is an Australian born naturalised British radio presenter who is a thirty-year veteran of the BBC and was awarded the MBE in 1998. He fronts a show, beginning at 10:00 until 13:00 on BBC Radio WM.

He started out in forces radio and moved to BRMB, then WM in 1982. He is also a writer and a TV presenter who has featured on news program BBC Midlands Today and written a regular column for the Birmingham Mail.

Ed, lovingly known by some colleagues as "Winnie" (his full name is Edwyn), has a huge collection of his past shows on cassette, reel to reel and CD.

In the 90s Ed presented live and local TV talk show Central Weekend Live. before returning to radio. Famous people Ed has interviewed include: Telly Savalas, Rolf Harris (mainly a phone guest), Ned Sherrin, Leonard Nimoy (from his BRMB days), Slim Dusty (deceased), Jim Davidson (live studio guest), Ian Smith (Harold from Neighbours), Princess Anne, and all the West Midland mayors since 1982.

Ed is famous for his live broadcasts from UK and abroad. Notable programmes have come from Australia, Tokyo, the world's oldest radio station in Pittsburgh and Birmingham Town Hall. Battling against technical difficulties his shows would from time to time drop off the air but Ed always prides himself on finishing his show on time wherever he is broadcasting from. The latest example is the live show from Weston Super Mare for his 65th birthday. On another occasion an escaped prisoner rang up his show to put his side of things. Ed handled this chap with dignity and maturity, persuading the chap to hand himself in to police. Brother George was a character on Ed's show in the 90s. Ed would talk to his "brother" George "live" from Australia on the phone. There was some speculation on the true identity of brother George as Ed only has a sister. Before the days of digital, George was pre-recorded Ed with Ed LIVE working with an Ed on a running tape on an open fader. Ed has a popular slot on his show every week called 'the other side of' where he interviews a public figure for an hour and also plays their favourite music. Ed gives Dove Awards to people or companies who have done good things. He plays the sound of doves cooing. Ed gives Turkey Awards to people or companies who have done bad things. He plays the sound of turkeys gobbling. Ed carries a handbag around. If something in it bleeps it is usually time to make his way around to the studio for his show. Ed was famous for his newspaper reviews on Sunday morning. Without pre-reading any newspaper before the show, he would do his best to say what was on the front cover of whatever newspaper made it into the studio. The newspaper review often took longer than expected. Ed often ends the show with a funny spoof new item. "I have a late item. Has it been checked? How many sources. One Source."

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radiowm BBC Radio WM]
* [http://www.arar93.dsl.pipex.com/mds975/content/brmb02.html BRMB History] Highlights or radio history including "now iconic broadcaster Ed Doolan."
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2815101.stm BBC]