Ed Doolan

[WBA1955]

passed away aged 76.
I thought he was older than that, he sounded like an old bloke 40 years ago.

[mickd1961]

I could never listen to the bloke for long Des.

I always thought he was a rather rude and abrupt interviewer and he didn't actually listen to what his guest was saying.

Last week they played a show from ten years ago in which he interviewed Englebert Humperdinck.

Eng told the story of his schooldays and how lonely and isolated he felt during those years and Doolan's next question was....

"So how did you get on at school and did you enjoy your schooldays?

I sat in my cringing but in fairness to Eng he was politeness personified and he quietly repeated what he'd just said.

There's little wonder that Doolan's career only reached the heady heights of Brum radio to be listened to by sad middle aged housewives and little old ladies who's fannies are officially haunted.

Talking of local radio personalities I wonder whatever happened to Gordon Astley off Beacon Radio.

I used to find that guy to be funny and I once saw him play live at Jester's wine bar in Stourbridge in around 85 and he was a riot live.

Seemed to drop off the map soon after though.

[WBA1955]

Just googled Gordon Astley as i listened to him too. He did the final series of TISWAS, replacing Chris Tarrant. He was working for BBC Southern Counties until 2009. He is also a motivational speaker, a proffessional magician and a member of the Magic Circle.

As for Ed Doolan, we got the "Doves" off him about 20 years ago for responding to a job promptly. I last saw him about 10 years ago presenting a dog show over Baggeridge Country Park.