Take a look back at Downtown Radio for World Radio Day

John Paul Ballentine's playing his dinner spinners
Author: Emma DicksonPublished 8th Feb 2023
Last updated 13th Feb 2023

Today we celebrate 'World Radio Day' as radio continues to be one of the most trusted and used media in the world.

Generations of music lovers have grown up listening to Downtown Radio here in Northern Ireland, and it's still as popular as ever today!

One of the earliest voices on Downtown Radio is still hosting his very own show - Trevor Campbell - with fans tuning in each week from across the country.

Big T was one of the original line-up of presenters which included Candy Divine, John Paul Ballintine and Michael 'Hendi' Henderson.

So we thought it would be fun to take a dive into our photo archive and share some behind the mic throwback snaps.

How many personalities and stars can do you remember? 👇

Big T kicking off the festive season with a little help from Santa

Michael 'Hendi' Henderson was one of the first voices to hit Downtown's airwaves back in 1976

Harry Castles and Downtown's News team share their well-deserved award for their coverage on the Omagh Bomb in 1998.

Lisa Flavelle and Johnny Hero smile for the camera

Maurice Jay and Lisa Flavelle takeover Downtown's airwaves

Downtown's very own rally car

John Paul Ballentine's playing his dinner spinners

Who remembers John Paul's Summer Cruiser?

Ivan Martin and Richard Young supporting one of Northern Ireland's local charities

Managing Director David Sloane, Big T and Lynda Jayne Campbell

Head of Programme John Rosborough listening to the latest tracks on vinyl!

Check out the very first Downtown newsroom, complete with typewriters instead of computers

Downtown's on-air team celebrating the launch of their FM frequencies

Candy Devine toasts to the future alongside the Downtown Flyer

Ivan Martin and Richard Young broadcasting their breakfast show on the road

Did Downtown's roadshow coke cruiser visit your local town?

Downtown celebrates its first birthday back in 1977

More celebrations for Downtown Radio

Florence Ambrose and Lynda Jayne Campbell broadcasting remotely

Local listeners tune in to hear Downtown

Summer tunes beside the shore

Lynda Jayne Campbell celebrating 20 years of Downtown with a live outdoor broadcast back in 1996

Who could forget when Big T and May McFettridge got hitched in Belfast's Castlecourt?

Can you spot a few familiar faces?

Ivan Martin on the Downtown Coke Cruiser

Downtown's revolutionary outdoor broadcasting suites

Perhaps Downtown's most adorable presenter

Big T and the launch team, attend a local charity fundraiser for Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital in the 70s

Big T hits the road - here he is chatting to Coleraine's locals

Stuart Robinson and George Jones launching Downtown Radio on DAB

Caroline Fleck catches up with Westflife ahead of their comeback tour

Gary Myles and Glen Pavis launch Downtown's Christmas campaign for 2020

Siobhan McGarry interviews one of the world's biggest boy bands - One Direction

Paul Francis celebrates the launch of the Bluegrass Festival in Belfast's Dirty Onion

Stuart Banford, Kirstie McMurray and Big T help launch Downtown's sister station - Downtown Country!

Big T broadcasts live from the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh

Back when pop-up live events could safely happen - Nathan Carter took over Buttercrane Shopping Centre in Newry

Owen Larkin and Caroline Fleck set sail on Downtown's Rock the Boat in 2010

Caroline Fleck chats to Cash for Kids NI's Darren Fowler

Downtown's stage for the Portrush Air Show

Gary, Kirsty and Rachel hosted Downtown's breakfast show from 2010-2019

Paul Francis broadcasting live from our Foyleside studios in Derry/Londonderry

Paul Orr hosting one of our summer roadshows

Neal McClelland and Eddie Grant on-air live from Barbados

And last but not least our current daytime team that continue to entertain the nation each day - David Coleman, Neal McClelland, Caroline Fleck, Owen Larkin, Kirstie McMurray, Gary Myles and Glen Pavis!

Read more:

Bauer Media NI celebrates industry award nominations

2023 gigs and concerts in Belfast & Dublin we can’t wait to see

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.