Les Ross

[1] At the age of 17, Ross won a DJ competition run by the Birmingham Evening Mail, beating Johnnie Walker, who came in second.

It was one of the first "zoo-radio" formats – involving a studio audience and interactive elements, competitions and phone-in requests that were presented by Fiona MacDonald.

In 1974, Ross's initial application to BRMB was rejected and he subsequently joined Radio Tees in the Northeast of England presenting their breakfast show in the summer of 1975.

Ross also presented a successful Saturday morning music show which used the talents of the station's record librarian Wincey Willis as co-presenter.

He was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1996 Birthday Honours for services to radio broadcasting.

[2] Ross also co-hosted Revolver, a British music series made by ATV in Birmingham that ran for eight episodes on the ITV network in 1978, alongside Peter Cook.

In his role of assistant manager, Les Ross ran a hamburger stand while offering rock trivia gems and introducing the support bands each week.

In August 1993, Ross returned to BRMB to host Breakfast show, where he had female co-presenters by his side during this period, including Suzi Becker and Tammy Gooding.

After 26 years of broadcasting, on Friday 27 September 2002, Ross presented his final BRMB Breakfast show, live from Birmingham International station.

[1] He announced his departure, planned for Christmas Eve 2004, after he was only offered a one-year contract, below half-pay, despite doubling the show's ratings in recent audience research figures.

His departure came before Christmas Eve, as station bosses decided to take action when Ross spoke to the local press about what had happened.

He would also cover for various holidaying presenters on the station including Adrian Goldberg, Ed Doolan and Danny Kelly, which Ross would later take over the afternoon show permanently.