Former Radio City and Caroline South DJ, Tom Edwards, has died

DATELINE   26th October 2025

Former Radio City and Radio Caroline South DJ, Tom Edwards, has died at the age of 80.

Tom  was born in Norwich on 20th March 1945. He first appeared on the air at the age of 18 when he was the announcer on a Border Television programme Beat On The Border. In 1964 he was working as a ‘blue coat’ at a Pontin's holiday camp and joined Radio City in September 1965 eventually becoming the station's senior DJ.

He earned the nick name  “Tatty Tom” because he was always so immaculately dressed. After Radio City was prosecuted and closed  in February 1967, Tom joined Radio Caroline South where he stayed until August and the introduction of the Marine etc Broadcasting  (Offences) Act.

Tom then became a regular presenter and newsreader on BBC Look East and in 1968 became a staff announcer and newsreader BBC Radios One and Two. He was also for many years  a continuity announcer on Thames Television.

Despite some well publicised problems with alcohol which interrupted his career, he fought back with help from Bob Monkhouse and was heard on five series of the comedian's TV show Wipeout. He also occasionally presented programmes for BBC Radio Norfolk and Saga Radio. Tom was also a participant in the Pirate BBC Essex broadcasts in 2004.

Tom's autobiography, Is Anybody There?,  was published in 2018  

Tom died on 25th October 2025 after losing a battle with cancer.

(Additional information courtesy Pirate Radio Hall of Fame)

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