Hundreds in bid to get DJ on air again

More than 500 listeners have backed a campaign to get DJ Mike Hollis back on the airwaves.

A petition has been handed to Smooth Radio bosses asking for his evening and Saturday Soul Show to be re-instated.

The Stourbridge presenter dubbed West Midlands Mr Soul was one of a number of DJs to lose their jobs following the station's decision to network some of their evening and weekend shows.

He is now hosting a soul and Motown night at The Kingfisher Country Club in Wall Heath every Friday.

A copy of the petition, which contained 535 names, has been sent to John Simons, group programme controller at Smooth Radio in Wakefield and to Alan Carruthers, programme controller at Smooth Radio in Birmingham where Hollis used to work.

Councillor Lynn Boleyn, who has been leading the campaign, said: "Mike is certainly still missed very much, and we would really love to see him back on Smooth Radio. Mike Hollis is a soul institution.

"Not only has he got the best soul records around, he is part of the local soul scene; he knows everyone and knows where all the good local soul gigs are."

She added that she had been inundated with calls of support from fans all over the world who used to listen to his shows via the internet.

Regular listener Terry Gethen, aged 56, of West Avenue, Tividale, is among those who have offered their support. He said: "Mike plays the music everybody wants to hear."