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Roger Day

Roger Day (born 29 March 1945), known professionally as "Twiggy" Day, is a British radio renowned for his pioneering work in offshore pirate radio during the and subsequent career in commercial and . Born in , , and raised in , Day began his broadcasting career in 1965 after appearing on the TV show Pop the Question. He gained fame on Swinging Radio England (1966) and (1967–1968), where he hosted popular shows like the Breakfast Show and was voted the UK's top broadcaster in a Record Mirror poll. Day transitioned to land-based radio with in 1968 and became the first voice on Piccadilly Radio in on 2 April 1974, later serving as Head of Music there until 1979. His career included roles at BRMB, Radio West, Invicta Radio (as Program Director, 1984–1992), Pirate FM, and Saga Radio. From 2007, he has presented shows on BBC Radio Kent, and as of 2025, he continues broadcasting on Boom Radio's network sixties show across over 40 stations and UnCool Radio on the , , where he resides. A lifelong United supporter, Day published his autobiography Pirate of the Airwaves in 2024, detailing his contributions to radio history. In 2012, his evening show was nominated for best radio show at the Music Week Awards.

Early life

Birth and upbringing

Roger Day was born on 29 March 1945 in , , . He spent his formative years in , , after his family relocated there during his childhood, where his parents operated a that immersed him in an environment of visitors and lively social interactions. From around the age of six, Day developed a deep passion for and radio, often sneaking listens to broadcasts on using his grandmother's radio and aspiring to become a . Initially, he trained and worked as an , leveraging his strong aptitude in , but his longstanding enthusiasm for ultimately drew him toward a career in .

Entry into entertainment

In 1965, while working as a trainee wages clerk at in , Roger Day's passion for led to his first public exposure in through an appearance on the music quiz show Pop the Question, hosted by . The episode was recorded at Margate's Winter Gardens in October 1965, featuring performances by and Chris Andrews, where Day's team emerged victorious after he correctly answered questions on current hits. This chance participation marked his initial brush with fame and directly opened doors to local opportunities, contrasting sharply with his day job in . The TV appearance quickly translated into his debut DJ gigs in , beginning with an offer from an ex-colleague who had spotted him on the show to host sessions at the Ballroom. Within days, Day also secured a role at 's Rendezvous Club, where he ran Wednesday night discos starting in late 1965 and introduced live bands, such as , during Sunday events at the main Dreamland venue. These early performances, often for modest fees like £35 per set for chart-topping acts, allowed him to blend his record collection enthusiasm with on-stage announcing, transitioning from an amateur music fan to semi-professional entertainer while still employed in finance. Through these local engagements, Day built initial connections in Kent's vibrant entertainment scene, networking with promoters and musicians at seaside resorts like , which served as a for his charismatic style before venturing into broader . His part-time DJing gradually overshadowed his accounting duties, fostering the skills and reputation that propelled him toward professional radio by mid-1966.

Broadcasting career

Offshore radio era

Roger Day began his broadcasting career in offshore radio with his debut on Swinging Radio England in May 1966, where he presented popular evening programs aboard the MV Ocean Beach, anchored off . As one of the station's original DJs, he remained through its turbulent six-month run, which ended in November 1966 amid financial difficulties and signal interference issues common to unlicensed operations. The station's high-energy format, featuring non-stop , captured the youthful spirit of the era, though Day later recalled the onboard environment as chaotic, likening it to "a Boy Scout camp gone mad." In August 1967, Day joined South on the , initially hosting the 9am-noon slot before taking over the flagship Breakfast Show and the American Hot 100 countdown. His daily routine involved early-morning preparations in the cramped ship's studio, selecting records, and engaging listeners with lively banter that resonated across the , earning him the nickname "" for his slender frame and earning top honors as the 's best broadcaster in a Record Mirror poll. The shows built a massive audience, with Caroline's position allowing it to evade terrestrial regulations and play unrestricted pop hits, though operations were hampered by rough seas, limited supplies, and the looming threat of the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act of 1967, which criminalized participation in . Day briefly left in August 1967 to renew his passport but returned despite the new law's risks, only for the ship to be seized by creditors in March 1968, silencing transmissions after his final Breakfast Show on March 2. Following Caroline's closure, Day transitioned to Radio Luxembourg in September 1968, broadcasting from the continental station's studios and closing down overnight shifts with a mix of rock and emerging hits. That December, he compèred the Beach Boys' UK tour, a high-profile role that began with sold-out shows and culminated at the London , significantly elevating his visibility among fans and industry figures. In 1970, Day returned to offshore radio with (RNI) aboard the MEBO II, launching on February 28 and hosting shows like the chart; however, the venture faced severe challenges, including stormy weather that prevented shore leave and aggressive government jamming of signals starting in April, which disrupted broadcasts but did not deter dedicated listeners tuning in via shortwave. These pirate operations exemplified the era's rebellious culture, blending technical ingenuity with defiance of legal barriers until Day's four-month stint ended amid ongoing interference.

Commercial radio developments

Day played a pivotal role in the launch of legal commercial radio in the UK, beginning with in , where he was the first voice on air at 5 a.m. on 2 April 1974, greeting listeners with a that marked the station's debut as the city's inaugural outlet. He subsequently served as Head of Music at Piccadilly, contributing to its programming during the early years of regulated under the Independent Broadcasting Authority. In 1979, while still at , Day undertook a grueling 74-hour radio marathon broadcast from Manchester United's hotel prior to the , aimed at raising funds and awareness for the station amid growing competition in the commercial sector. Preparation involved coordinating sponsors and live segments, and the event drew significant public engagement, with listeners tuning in for the endurance feat that highlighted Day's commitment to community-oriented programming. Following his departure from that year, Day joined BRMB Radio in , where he presented shows that helped establish the station's foothold in the West Midlands market during the expansion of in the late . He later moved to Radio West in , contributing to its development as one of the early commercial stations in the South West, before returning to in 1984 to assist in launching Invicta Radio, serving as Program Director until 1992 and overseeing its growth into a key regional broadcaster. In 1992, he transitioned to Pirate FM in , helping to pioneer its rock-oriented format as the area's first commercial station, blending his radio experience with the structured demands of licensed broadcasting until 1994. Day's earlier work at from September 1968 provided a bridge to these commercial ventures, as the station's English-language programming in the late 1960s and early 1970s exposed him to techniques that influenced his approach to audience engagement in the 's emerging legal radio landscape.

BBC and later stations

In 2007, Roger Day transitioned to by joining Radio as its weekday evening presenter, hosting a three-hour show from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. that featured music, chat, and listener interaction. He continued in this role until 2020, later incorporating themed segments such as hours and classic chart countdowns from the 1960s to 1970s, which he took over from Dave Cash in 2017. Day's BBC tenure expanded regionally in 2009 when he began presenting weekday evenings on and , leveraging shared programming across these local stations to reach audiences in the South East of England with a focus on nostalgic pop and rock content. This period marked a stable phase in his mid-career, emphasizing program direction through curated playlists that celebrated his offshore radio roots while adapting to the 's public service format. Prior to his BBC roles, Day's leadership experience included serving as Program Director at Invicta Radio from 1984 to 1992. In 2012, Day received a nomination for Radio Show of the Year at the Music Week Awards for his BBC evening program, recognizing its engaging mix of classic hits and personal anecdotes that resonated with listeners. During the mid-2010s, Day participated in heritage radio events honoring pirate broadcasting history, including guest appearances at the 2017 unveiling of the Radio Caroline commemorative stone in Felixstowe, where he shared stories from his Swinging Radio England days, and specials like a 2012 BBC pirate radio tribute featuring interviews with former colleagues such as Johnnie Walker.

Recent and current roles

In February , Roger Day joined the newly launched , a station targeting listeners over 50 with classic hits from the and , where he began presenting regular shows focusing on his radio heritage. Initially, this included the "My Generation Sixties" program on Saturdays from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, featuring curated selections of music and anecdotes from his days. By , his role had evolved to include weekday afternoons Monday through Thursday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the main service, playing a mix of tracks with segments like "6 from the 60s," and Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM on the Boom Rock spin-off channel, hosting "'60s Rock" dedicated to from that era. These programs are broadcast nationally via the Sound Digital multiplex and streamed online, allowing global access and reflecting Day's adaptation to digital platforms at age 80. Concurrently, Day hosts a show on Bay Radio, an English-language station serving the region in , airing from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM . The format emphasizes relaxed conversation, listener requests, and classic pop and rock tracks from the onward, appealing primarily to expatriates and tourists in the area who tune in for nostalgic entertainment during weekend mornings. Broadcast on frequencies and available via online streaming, the show maintains Day's signature energetic style while connecting with an international audience tied to his long career. Since 2021, Day has made occasional guest appearances on heritage radio specials, such as tributes to fellow broadcasters on , and extended his reach through online archives of his programs on , preserving clips from his offshore era for digital listeners. This shift to hybrid , , and streaming formats underscores his enduring presence in radio, spanning over five decades without reliance on traditional .

Personal life

Nickname and family background

Roger Day, born Roger Thomas, acquired his enduring nickname "Twiggy" during his early days as a disc jockey on Radio Caroline in the 1960s, owing to his slender build, which drew comparisons to the iconic model Twiggy. This moniker, often playfully rendered as "your thinner record spinner," stuck throughout his career in offshore and commercial radio, reflecting his youthful, wiry frame at the time. Day's family background was rooted in modest circumstances in post-war . His parents operated a in , where young Roger first nurtured his passion for music and in the family home, listening to programs that sparked his lifelong interest in the medium. He has an older brother, and the family's home life provided a supportive environment for his emerging ambitions, though specifics on direct involvement remain limited in public accounts. Day was married to Jenny Brown for nearly five decades before their divorce in the late ; he has spoken fondly of her in reflections on his . A notable aspect of Day's personal identity is his lifelong fandom of , which deepened during his tenure at Piccadilly Radio in starting in 1974. There, he forged connections with the team, culminating in a memorable 74-hour radio marathon broadcast from their hotel ahead of the , blending his professional role with his passion for the "Red Devils." This enthusiasm, originating in his early exposure to the club, has remained a constant thread in his life beyond the airwaves.

Residence and interests

Roger Day resides in the region of , where he relocated after concluding his tenure with the . This move allows him to broadcast his shows on directly from his home studio, integrating his local lifestyle with ongoing radio commitments and providing a relaxed environment that enhances his engagement with expatriate and international audiences. Beyond his professional pursuits, Day maintains a lifelong passion for , which he first pursued as a junior at the Margate Lawn Tennis Club and continues to play regularly in using his original wooden racket. He also enjoys reflecting on his extensive music collection, particularly tracks from the and , including favorites by , which he often incorporates into personal listening. Additionally, Day is an avid supporter of Manchester United, a rooted in memorable experiences like his 1979 broadcast marathon from the team's Cup Final hotel. In retirement activities following his BBC years, Day embraces a slower pace suited to his age of 80, including occasional travel within and light exercise to stay active. A about a decade ago curtailed his enthusiasm for , but it has not diminished his overall vitality or appreciation for a 60-year career marked by enduring energy and adaptability.

Recognition and legacy

Awards and polls

Roger Day has received multiple awards for his contributions to . He is a four-time Parents' Choice Gold Award winner for albums including Dream Big! (2007) and Why Does Gray Matter? (2010). Additional Parents' Choice Awards were given to Rock 'n' Roll Rodeo (1998) and Ready to Fly (2001). Ready to Fly also earned a Gold Award from the National Association of Parenting Publications. His 2020 album Invincible! received a National Parenting Product Award. Day was honored with the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) Award for Contributions to Humanity, recognizing his through performances. The Roger Day LIVE! DVD (2003) won a Film Advisory Board Award, and Marsh Mud Madness (2013) received a Parents' Choice Award. No formal industry polls specific to Day's work in children's music have been widely documented.

Autobiography and influence

Day has not published an autobiography. His influence in children's music stems from creating interactive, educational songs that promote themes, imagination, and personal growth. Over 25 years, he has performed at schools, libraries, and festivals across the , engaging young audiences with high-energy shows. Collaborations with artists such as the , , and have enriched his discography, blending rock influences with kid-friendly rhythms. His music has been praised by outlets including and KidsHealth.org for fostering learning and empowerment, as seen in albums like Why Does Gray Matter? and Invincible!. As of 2025, Day continues to tour and release content, including performances at events like the Williamson County Heritage event in September 2025.

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