The Radio Expert

The Radio Expert: Pierre Petrou - Helping broadcasters, brands & creatives make radio that connects. Tips, trends & truths from inside (and outside) the studio.

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Ive often said on the radio that the greatest songs don't simply entertain us. They lift us.

Bonnie Tyler's music did exactly that.

Even when she sang about heartbreak, somehow you always came away feeling stronger. Thats a rare gift.

Thank you @BonnieTOfficial, rest in peace.

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

@tonyblackburn Congratulations Tony; I remember you announcing your engagement to Debbie on CG just a few years ago! :-)

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Radio isnt a technology
Its an editorial discipline
AI will optimise workflows
It won’t replicate trust.

'And you seem like a friend to me.'
Thats the contract (Pilot of the Airwaves)

On World Radio Day
Radio’s finest hour isnt behind it. Its next.
#WorldRadioDay #RadioIndustry

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

43 years since Karen Carpenter died, aged 32 on 4th February 1983.

Her voice remains a benchmark in restraint, emotional clarity and trust in the listener, which is why it still works on radio today.

Timeless craft, not nostalgia.

#Karen #Radio #Music #RIP

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

The #Epiphany feels like the real start of the year.

After years in #radio, #media and senior comms, one truth holds: What we don’t amplify matters as much as what we do.

#Calm beats #noise. #Judgement beats speed. Human #communication beats #automation.

Happy New Year!

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Even Santa knows the mic matters.

This Christmas, thinking of the presenters, broadcasters, & media teams giving up their day so we can be informed, entertained, and comforted-you make a difference.

Wishing peace, joy, and music in everyone’s hearts.
#RadioLife #Christmas #Joy

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

I wish I could 'heart' this post more than once!

[Steve Allen @steveallenshow]

The day has arrived so once again folks Merry Christmas, and remember,No man is a failure who has friends,X

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

From a radio point of view, #ChrisRea was an artist who always worked.

Any time of day, his records landed.

Chris has died aged 74.

Not just for Christmas, but trusted #radio #music for life.

Truly #driving #home for #Christmas for one last time.

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

The ever-professional @Nicki_Chapman smoothly handled live radio superbly just after 9pm on @magicfm tonight when @PaulYoungParlez appeared to be wearing two hats. 🎙️👏

#LiveRadio #RadioLife #RadioPro #OnAir #RadioMoments

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Heartbroken by the passing of #RaulMalo of #TheMavericks at 60.

As a radio professional, I’ve rarely seen such authenticity and presence define the airwaves.

Radio stations should pay tribute. I’ll honour him on Rock N Rodeo Therapy this Sunday. 🎙️💔

#RadioLife #MusicLegacy

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Well done to @greatesthitsuk for playing Laurel and Hardy this evening!

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Sad News:

International reggae icon Jimmy Cliff has died.

https://t.co/lmBtnCXdDd

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

The Stone Roses bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield has died.

https://t.co/tFNEAI8BxR

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

The #BBC resignations are serious, but #accountability still matters.

Its strength lies in telling the #truth, doing what is right, and maintaining #transparency and impartiality, supported by both staff and leadership.

This is a #reset; a chance to rebuild #trust.

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Attended an amazing #Celebrity #Charity Lunch yesterday for @EHAAT_ hosted by Lord Martyn Rose & Lady Penny.🚁💙

Met @policylaila (such an inspiring conversation about truth & courage), and legends from #JohnConteh & #AnneHegarty to @EddieKiddOBE & @toryboypierce!

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

Great night at @NewsUK for @talkSPORT’s #BlackHistoryMonth event.

Big thanks to @EdAdoo for the invite & wonderful to meet Denny Morris, Director of Audio.

Inspiring panel hosted by the lovely @MyaGraham_ with @MirrorDarren, @LukeHenry90, @Ade_Oladipo_ & Gabby Agbonlahor.

[Christian O'Connell @OC]

Today marks 27 years of doing breakfast radio

That's 27 years of getting up in the dark and 27 years of playing Nickelback #blessed

When I started, I was 25 — full of nerves, Dr Pepper (it was the 90s, used to chug cans of the stuff during the show!), and a fierce desire to make something good. I wasn’t good, I was awful at times. But thanks to the unwavering support and occasional kick up the backside from my mythical and magnificent wife (each name ‘Sarah”, I backed myself and saw the wonky start as me serving an apprenticeship. 27 years on, I’m still serving that apprenticeship.

Now I'm 52, free from my dirty Dr Pepper addiction, (25 yrs clean) and the fire’s still burning with a deep love for what I do and who I do it with, thats my team and my co-creators everyday, you, whoever is listening.

Back then in ’98, I was playing compact discs, not streaming. There were no texts — the smartphone hadn't even been invented. If you wanted to contact the show, you actually had to call. A real phone. With a cord. Through the land. And yet — somehow — the connection between us was just as alive then as it is now.
Because the real magic of radio has never been about the tech. It's about connection. It's about the quiet intimacy of someone letting you into their car, their kitchen, their morning routine — trusting you to be there while they wake up, get ready, face whatever the day brings.
I've made more mistakes than I can count — dead ends, stumbles, mumbles, at times evolving as a human out loud, and next hour devolving as that same mess of a man. But I've learned that creativity at its heart is really just being unafraid to make mistakes. And then showing up again the next day. It reminds us that the childhood joy of play should still be with us. Everything’s real rigid and scary right now isn’t it? Here’s the joy of being a fool sometimes!

Not knowing is my why. It's the reason I still love this — the mystery, the wonder of what might emerge next. The thrill of not knowing what story or laughter or authentic human moment will unfold. Radio is one of the few places and spaces we go to today for shared experience.
And through it all — you've been there. Radio is described as being a companion. It’s a latin word meaning the one you share bread with. Isn’t that great?

the one you share bread with

And that's what we do, every morning — we share the bread of time, laughter, and life together in that moment. You've let me be part of your celebrations and your heartbreaks. Your mundane Tuesdays and your extraordinary moments. You've trusted me with your mornings, and I don't take that lightly.

So thank you — for walking this path with me, one sunrise at a time.
Here's to the wonder of what comes next

Thanks always to my girls who keep me honest, humble and happy. Sarah, Rubster and Lolo

Today I have a heart brimming with deep gratitude

[RadioToday UK @RadioToday]

Total UK radio weekly reach edged up 0.3% quarter-on-quarter to 50.1 million listeners, maintaining an 86% weekly reach of adults 15+ https://t.co/N9iY50YgaO

[The Radio Expert @TheRadioExpert]

@leonagraham Best Years of Our Lives, Modern Romance
Halfway To Paradise, Billy Fury
Silver Lady, David Soul
Top of the World, Carpenters