| Ed Doolan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edwin Myer Doolan July 20, 1941 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation | Radio Broadcaster |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Spouse | Christine |
Edwin Myer Doolan (born 20 July 1941 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is an Australian born naturalised British radio presenter who is a twenty-eight year veteran of the BBC and was awarded the MBE in 1998. He currently presents a weekday talks show from noon until 2pm on BBC WM and "The Other Side Of", aired on Sunday lunchtime at 1pm.He has been honoured by the British Radio Academy, earning a place in the Radio Hall of Fame. He has been presented with Honorary Doctorates from Birmingham's three universities and was the first person to have ever achieved that honour.
On Ed's lunchtime show of the 22nd February 2011, he announced he was cutting down on amount of shows he would be presenting, stating he could no longer "continue the current work schedule"[1]; his lunchtime show will be on a Friday only from September 9th 2011, and he will present a new 9am-12 noon Sunday show from September 11th 2011.
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After a ten year career as a school teacher in Sydney, Edinburgh and London, he moved to Cologne, taking his first step into broadcasting with Radio Deutsche Welle, the German World Service, in August 1970.
From 1974 until 1982 Ed worked at BRMB Birmingham's first commercial radio station, then moved to BBC WM in 1982. Ed began his current consumer programme on BBC WM in 1988. Well known for pioneering social action broadcasting, tackling dishonest and cavalier traders on behalf of the consumer, Ed also takes on the big utilities, the councils of the West Midlands and even areas of national government if an injustice has been done. There has been approaching 7000 programmes over the past 20 years or so, and the programme continues to be one of the most listened-to in the region. He is also a writer and a TV presenter who has featured on news programmes BBC Midlands Today and wrote 950 weekly columns for the Birmingham Mail.
Ed aims to 'make a difference' to the less fortunate and in his radio and charity work he can proudly claim to have had great success, being heavily involved in the many charities carrying his name. Ed also has a huge collection of radio and television programmes on cassette, reel to reel, VHS, CD and DVD. He recently discovered a 1968 "Christmas Night with the Stars" containing a ten minute lost segment of Dads Army.
In 1993 Ed co-presented the live and local TV talk show Central Weekend Live but prefers radio to television. Famous people Ed has interviewed include: Telly Savalas, Rolf Harris, Leonard Nimoy (from his BRMB days), Slim Dusty (deceased), Jim Davidson (live studio guest), Ian Smith (Harold from Neighbours), Princess Anne, and all high-profile West Midland politicians since 1974.
Other memorable moments were with Mohammed Ali, Nelson Mandela, Prince Edward, Charlton Heston, Bob Monkhouse,and Barry Humphries.
Ed has also interviewed every British Prime Minister (except Harold Wilson) since Sir Alec Douglas Home.
Many of these interviews can now be heard in the UK as repeat and compilation shows on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Ed is famous for his live broadcasts from UK and abroad. Notable programmes have come from Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hong Kong, the world's oldest radio station, KDKA in Pittsburgh, Birmingham Symphony Hall and the newly refurbished Town Hall. On his 60th and 65th birthday, Ed broadcast his show live from Weston Super Mare with bus loads of BBC WM listeners. On one occaasion an escaped prisoner rang up his show to put his side of things. Ed handled this chap with dignity and maturity, persuading the chap to hand himself in to the police. Ed didn't know where the Police Station was - but the prisoner directed him.
Brother George was a character on Ed's show in the 90s. Ed would talk to his "brother" George "live" from Australia on the phone. There was some speculation on the true identity of brother George as Ed only has a sister. Before the days of digital, Ed pre-recorded George and "talked" with him live by running the tape on an open fader.
Ed's lunchtime show is transmitted without the usual nine-second delay; this has resulted in occasional embarrassing moments where his callers have used expletives.
Ed presents a weekly programme called "The Other Side Of" every Sunday lunchtime at 1pm. when he interviews a well known figure for an hour, playing their favourite music.
Ed gives Dove Awards to people or companies who have done good things. He plays the sound of doves cooing. Ed gives Turkey Awards to people or companies who have done bad things. He plays the sound of turkeys gobbling. Ed has carried a manbag around for 20 years or more. It contains his heart medication. If something in it bleeps it is usually time to make his way around to the studio for his show.