Last Les Ross BRMB breakfast show - 2002

Commercial radio is often criticised for not creating nationally known names. Maybe it’s something to do with the fact that the original network of stations were local. But in those areas, the greatest personalities were huge. Few bigger, though, that Birmingham’s Les Ross.

Les's radio career began at BBC Radio Birmingham, before applying to join the fresh newcomer, little BRMB. He was turned down. After a spell at Tees, where he was the first voice, back he came to his home town.

Having assumed the BRMB breakfast show in 76, there he stayed until the launch of its AM-counterpart Xtra in 89, returning to BRMB in 93, when owners Capital clearly designated him as ‘a Tarrant’.

His last show is heard here from September 2002. Although last shows can be a touch indulgent, when one has drawn the cume audience so beautifully into core through pure skill, one gets away with it. Les Ross MBE did - and some great spontaneous lines which demonstrate just why he woke up the West Midlands for quite so many years.