'I'm ready to start a new chapter': End of an era as radio legend Dicky Dodd hosts final Signal 107 breakfast show

Radio legend Dicky Dodd is hosting his final breakfast show for Signal 107 today after 20 years of being a familiar voice in thousands of Black Country households.

It may be the end of an era – hundreds signed a petition begging his bosses to keep him on the show after news of his redundancy broke – but the 46-year-old now has his firmly sights set on the future.

He even said he might put his bus licence to good use – and could be driving passengers round the Black Country streets anytime soon.

"Going into Mander House every day has been incredible. When I think of how much I've been in that studio looking out at Wolverhampton – it's been wonderful," said Dicky.

"Getting up at 4am every day, if you didn't love what you did you wouldn't do that.

"Radio has played a massive part in my life – my listeners have let me into their homes. They have made a considered choice to do that, allowing me into their lives – whether it's their alarm when they first wake up, at the breakfast table, in the car on the school run or at work – and I'm dead grateful for that. If it wasn't for those listeners I wouldn't have had a job to go to."

Wolverhampton born and bred Dicky Dodd started broadcasting back in 1994 and has been a breakfast presenter at Signal 107 since 2001.

He started in radio when he joined Beacon – where he met his wife Julie – in 1994 where he stayed for six years.

He then had a stint at Wyvern FM in Worcester for eight months before he joined 107.7FM The Wolf in March 2001, which was rebranded into Signal 107. He lives in Wolverhampton with his wife and two children Reece, age 21, and 19-year-old Sophie.

But during lockdown it was announced he had been made redundant from his role as Signal had moved to integrate with the Hits Radio Brand Network.

The move led to a petition being set up – attracting more than 800 signatures – calling on the station to "listen to their listeners" and keep him on.

"When I saw that petition, I was blown away," said Dicky. "To see the level of compassion and care people had was just amazing. Of course I'm sad to go, I'm not going to say I'm not. If I said I wasn't then there would be something wrong with me.

"I'm so grateful to the radio station for the life I've had while I was there. I've done things money just can't buy. I've walked up Oblivion at Alton Towers, I've abseiled down Victoria Hall, the student accommodation in Wolverhampton, I did a 100 foot bungee jump in Queens Square for Compton Care.

"I even went to do a week of outside broadcasts in Jamaica for 'work'.

"I've met Lionel Richie, he actually asked me to come and see him backstage. I've met Gabrielle and Anastasia, some of the biggest stars on the planet. Who knows where I'll be in the future?

"I'm ready to start a new chapter, and hopefully it will be in radio but we'll see.

"I do have my bus licence, so you might see me driving the number 59 down Wednesfield Road soon – I love buses!

"I have a few irons in the fire and I'm hoping they come to fruition."

As well as on the radio, Dicky has also been a familiar face at big – and small – events around the Black Country.

The DJ has turned the Christmas lights on in Wolverhampton on a number of occasions – and also starred in the Grand Theatre's pantomime Dick Whittington in January this year.

He has also worked with a number of local charities in a bid to raise money.

"I want to thank everyone who has been there for me in my career," he added. "This chapter has ended but I can't wait to get started on the next one. I'm still going to be continuing with my breakfast show for Rock FM in Cyprus too, I do that every day.

"This will be a massive life change – not just for me but for my family too, but I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've had."