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Stevenage shed radio DJ ready for BBC local radio slot Stevenage shed radio DJ broadcasts in BBC local radio slot
(about 9 hours later)
A DJ whose shed-based radio station was only ever heard by his wife is preparing to expand his audience after 44 years. A DJ whose shed-based radio station was only ever heard by his wife has said it was "an absolute pleasure" to expand his audience after 44 years.
Deke Duncan, 73, started playing records from his back garden in Stevenage, Hertfordshire in 1974. Deke Duncan, 73, was the subject of a 1970s BBC Nationwide television report from his home in Stevenage.
He was the subject of a BBC Nationwide television report, recently tweeted by BBC Archive, prompting BBC Three Counties Radio to track him down. He was tracked down by BBC Three Counties Radio and broadcast a one-hour special on the station on Monday night.
He was then offered a one-hour special, which goes out on New Year's Eve. Opening the show he said his aim was to "put a grin on your chin" and a "smile on your radio dial".
'Real cool' "Welcome to the big wide world of Deke Duncan," he said.
Listeners to the pre-recorded show, which will be broadcast at 18:00 GMT on Three Counties Radio, can expect some "old school radio", Mr Duncan said. "Uncle Deke is in the air chair... and a mountain of music is guaranteed."
"Radio like it was 30 or 40 years ago with a happy disc jockey, bouncing along from one record to another and just being real cool. It's going to be rock and roll," he said. Duncan started playing records from his back garden in Stevenage, Hertfordshire in 1974.
Mr Duncan said his interest in radio was sparked by pirate station Radio Caroline, which broadcast from a ship off the coast of Essex in the 1960s. He said his interest in radio was sparked by pirate station Radio Caroline, which broadcast from a ship off the coast of Essex in the 1960s.
He set up Radio 77 - named after a job-lot of second hand jingles bought from a US station of the same name.He set up Radio 77 - named after a job-lot of second hand jingles bought from a US station of the same name.
But with no licence, the station could only be beamed through a speaker in his living room to wife Teresa.But with no licence, the station could only be beamed through a speaker in his living room to wife Teresa.
He presented non-stop weekend slots on the station with friends Richard St John and Clive Christie and made regular references on air to the fact he was broadcasting from - and to - 57 Gonville Crescent.He presented non-stop weekend slots on the station with friends Richard St John and Clive Christie and made regular references on air to the fact he was broadcasting from - and to - 57 Gonville Crescent.
He was tracked down to Stockport, Greater Manchester, where he still broadcasts Radio 77 to just his wife, and was invited to co-present a show on BBC Three Counties Radio. The Nationwide report was recently tweeted by BBC Archive and BBC Three Counties Radio broadcaster Justin Dealey tracked him down to Stockport, Greater Manchester, where he still broadcasts Radio 77 to just his wife. The station then offered him the one-hour special.
In 1974 he had said his "ultimate ambition" was to broadcast to the rest of Stevenage and the forthcoming show will not only be broadcast to Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire on radio, but will also be available via this link. Duncan said he wanted to show his "appreciation" for Dealey on the show for giving him "this opportunity to do what I'm doing right now" and he was "very, very grateful".
In 1974 he had said his "ultimate ambition" was to broadcast to the rest of Stevenage and the New Year's Eve show did not only got out to Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire on radio, but can also be heard via this link.
His story has been in many newspapers and television including BBC Breakfast and ITV's This Morning.His story has been in many newspapers and television including BBC Breakfast and ITV's This Morning.
Mr Duncan described the media furore surrounding his re-discovery as a "whirlwind" but he was "loving it".Mr Duncan described the media furore surrounding his re-discovery as a "whirlwind" but he was "loving it".
"It has been a blast... I am as happy as Larry," he said.