Wolverhampton Council leader backs campaign to keep Dicky Dodd on air

Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of Wolverhampton Council, said the Signal 107 breakfast show host was a "treasure" of the city – and needed to be kept.

It comes following a re-brand of the station into the Hits Radio Network.

The move has seen a petition set up and city MP Pat McFadden writing to station owners Bauer asking them to keep him on the air.

Councillor Brookfield said: "I've known Dicky for more than 20 years and what he does for this city goes above and beyond what many other people do.

"I've personally signed the petition and I would urge people to do as well – we can't lose a Wolverhampton treasure."

A petition has been set up by listener Susan Roberts, which has seen almost 800 sign in a bid to keep him in his role.

She said people would re-tune their radios if a decision was made to axe the presenter.

Mr McFadden said it would be a "tragedy" if he was removed from the airwaves – and questioned the point of listening if every station sounded the same, without any "local character".

Mr Dodd, a popular figure in the city, has hosted numerous city-wide events as the voice of the city and supported Compton Care and The Haven through his tenure.

He started in local radio in 1994 and has entertained listeners ever since.

The presenter, who was born in the city and went to Wednesfield High School, starred in Grand Theatre's pantomime Dick Whittington in January this year.