Ed Stewart

Ed Stewart (born April 23 1941 in Exmouth, Devon) is a radio broadcaster from England.
His real name is Edward Mainwaring but he is affectionately known by the nickname "Stewpot".

Early life and career

Ed attended St Edward's School, Oxford and his broadcasting career began in Hong Kong. While touring there as bass player with a jazz group, he got a job on a local radio station as a sports commentator, then as an announcer and, finally, as a disc jockey. He remained at this station for 4 years. In July 1965 Ed became a DJ on the offshore station Radio London.

Later career with BBC Radio and Television

In 1967, Ed became one of the first DJs to join BBC Radio 1, presenting "Happening Sunday" and "What's New". In 1968, Ed took over the weekend morning "Junior Choice" show, where he remained for 12 years. The show reached 17 million listeners. In 1972 he also presented Radio 1's "Sunday Sport" show.

Ed became a regular presenter of the BBC television programme "Top of the Pops" in 1971. He also presented the children's programme "Crackerjack" in the 1970s, and had a short-lived programme "The Ed and Zed Show".

1980 saw Ed move to BBC Radio 2, presenting "Family Favourites" and the weekday afternoon programme from 2pm to 4pm.

Commercial Radio

Ed moved to the commercial radio station Radio Mercury (now Mercury FM), for six years, presenting their mid-morning show.

Back to the Beeb

Ed rejoined BBC Radio 2 in 1991, firstly presenting a series of shows & then a regular Saturday afternoon show throughout the summer. In 1992, he once again presented weekday afternoons. This time, the show was broadcast from 3.30pm - 5pm, before moving to 3pm - 5pm in 1996 and 2pm - 5pm in late 1998.

Notable broadcasts

In 1995, Ed made radio history when he broadcast his Radio 2 show live from the summits of Ben Nevis and Snowdon, in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. He also broadcast from the Falkland Islands just after the 1982 conflict and on the 75th anniversary of the RAF.

Current programmes

In the summer of 1999, Ed was taken off the weekday afternoon slot, moving to his Sunday evening show from 5pm - 7pm. At the time the official word was that Stewart had decided to go into semi-retirement, however he later revealed in his autobiography that he was removed from the afternoon programme by then controller Jim Moir.

His Sunday show was a blend of music and chat, plus listeners' letters and 'Where Are They Now?', a feature that attempts to re-unite old friends who have lost touch with each other.

In addition to his Sunday evening show on BBC Radio 2, in February 2005, Ed took over the weekday afternoon show on Spectrum FM, an English-speaking radio station that broadcasts to Spain.

Ed eventually retired from Radio 2 in April 2006, not long after releasing his autobiography where he questioned the position of his colleagues Sarah Kennedy and Johnnie Walker (DJ) on the network. He was replaced on Sunday afternoons by Johnnie Walker.

Ed was heard on Big L 1395 covering for David Hamilton on 18 December 2006, and has presented special shows on Classic Gold on Christmas Day 2006, New Years Day 2007 & also May Day Bank Holiday Monday 2007.

Ed was back for Radio 2 40th on Sunday 30 September 2007 hosting "Junior Choice".

Ed was heard on Ken Bruce show and Pop Master on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday 2nd October 2007

Ed was heard on BBC Radio 2 presenting Junior Choice on Christmas Eve on Monday 24 December 2007,Ed can currently be heard presenting the morning show on Hull and East Yorkshires KCFM

Interests

Ed's two main interests are playing golf (he often met listeners of his programme who volunteered to caddy for him) and football; he is a supporter of Everton F.C.

Trademark

A trademark of Ed's was a recording clip of a young boy saying "'Ello darling!" in a broad cockney accent, followed by a brief burst of laughter. This was first used on the Junior Choice programme, but remained with him ever since. Listeners often requested it as a greeting for loved ones.

External links

* [http://www.radiorewind.co.uk/ed_stewart_page.htm Archive Ed Stewart images, bio and audio from Radio Rewind website]