John in the Radio 2 studio 1974 Factfile John was named Radio Personality of the Year three times. In 1998 John was awarded a Gold Sony Radio award for the best drivetime music programme. He made radio history in 1996 when he presented his show live from the Antarctica. |
| Early Days Born in Glasgow in 1934, John joined the RAF in 1953 to become a Pilot Officer. In 1956 he began working at the BBC as a trainee studio Manager, and became Studio Manager later that year for European radio programmes. 1959 and John joined the BBC Domestic Services. Here he was the first announcer to introduce the Light Programme extended hours of broadcasting on 31st August, 1964. Radio 2 In 1967 John was heard on the new Radio 2 and was regular compere for the late Friday night show Jazz at Night which featured such Jazz greats as Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington and Sandy Brown. He fronted various other programmes including 'Housewives' Choice', 'Roundabout' and 'Friday Night Is Music Night'. From 1968 he was heard as one of the regular weekly presenters of the early morning show Breakfast Special long with Paul Hollingdale and Ray Moore, later becoming the sole presenter. In 1972 he moved to the 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. afternoon slot The Dunn Thing. Drivetime In 1976 he moved to the weekday drivetime slot, a show he would present for 22 years. During this period on the show he interviewed thousands of guests from all walks of life. The programme also included travel, a business slot and the famous mystery voice where listener's would telephone the show and guess on-air the name behind the voice clip. John would usually say just one word.. "wrong!" In 1998 he announced that he was semi-retiring & that Johnnie Walker was to take over the show. He did however continue to present Radio 2 documentaries and again editions of Friday Night is Music Night. Sadly John passed away in November 2004, a victim of cancer. John Dunn's charming personality and soothing voice made him a much loved and missed broadcaster. |
