Pirate Presenters

Alan Turner

Known as "Neddie", after the character in The Goons, Alan joined Radio Caroline as a crew member in 1964 before swiftly becoming a technical operator and then a disc-jockey. Along with Tom Lodge and Jerry Leighton he broadcast as the M.V. Fredericia made the journey from the Essex coast to the Isle of Man in July 1964.

In recent years, Alan has resumed his involvement in broadcasting, by operating and maintaining one of the aircraft used for "Flying Eye" traffic reports for commercial radio.

Gary Walker with Daphne and Dave Cash.

Gary Walker

Along with John and Scott, Gary was one of the Walker Brothers who took Britain by storm in the mid 60s with hits like "Make It Easy On Yourself", "The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore" and "My Ship Is Coming In".

They owe their success in no small part to airplay on the pirate radio stations. They were so grateful to Radio London that they even recorded special jingles for Kenny Everett and Dave Cash. Gary was a guest on Pirate BBC Essex in 2007 and hosts his own programme this Easter.

Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker made his name in the 60s with Radio Caroline. His night-time show was essential listening for 86% of the night-time audience, which increased to more than 20 million Europe-wide on the night of 14 August 1967, as Walker and 'Caroline' continued in defiance of the Government legislation which silenced all the others.

During his first seven-year period with Radio 1 from 1969 to 1976, Johnnie established a reputation as a DJ who accorded more importance to the records he played and famously refused to play The Bay City Rollers.

He currently presents Pirate Johnnie Walker on Saturday evenings and Johnnie Walker’s Sounds of the 70s on Sunday afternoons on Radio 2. Johnnie also sits in regularly for Terry Wogan on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

On Pirate BBC Essex 2007 Johnnie Walker resumed a pastime he hadn't got up to for many years – flashing!

Ian Wyatt

Ian Wyatt

Ian was raised on the sounds of the 60s as they echoed around his childhood Colchester home.

One of the youngest members of the team, he's also an accomplished producer of outside broadcasts with the BBC Essex Steve's Summer Saturday series and many other specials to his name.

Ian is one of three Pirate BBC Essex presenters who'll be on FM too over Easter 2009... presenting the Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast shows on BBC Essex.