Judi's back on the radio!

Following a successful pilot show, Judi Spiers begins a new series on Exeter’s independent station Radio Exe every Sunday in November starting on Sunday 8 November.

As well as Radio Exe’s famously broad mix of music, the three-hour weekly show will feature special guests, Judi’s unique brand of humour and conversation, and the chance to win a £100 Princesshay Gift Card each week.

The announcement comes as BBC Radio Devon’s audience (on which Judi used to present a popular show) has plummeted to its lowest level for more than two decades.

Figures obtained by the Express & Echo show the station had an average of 180,000 listeners a week from July to September, down 34,000 from the previous three months.

The number of listeners went up by 24,000 between September 2014 and April 2015, but dropped 7,000 in the following three months.

The latest figures represent a fall of 17,000 over the past year and 88,000 since September 2005.

They are the lowest recorded for any quarter since audience data for local radio stations was first published in June 1999.

The decline follows several high-profile presenter changes this year, including the axing of Judi.

Judi's show is being brought to Radio Exe by Tamar Security, which this year celebrates 30 years as a leading Devon security firm. So each week there will also be a smattering of music from 1985, the year of Live Aid, New Coke and Back to the Future. Tamar Security’s ,managing director Sara Southwell says: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Judi Spiers show on Radio Exe. Like Judi, we’re true Devon people: trusted and well known – and we just love engaging with people in this area.”

Paul Nero, managing director of Radio Exe, says: “We had so many calls asking for Judi’s return, we simply had to create more slots. We’re looking forward to a series of busy shows.”

Radio Exe is the only station – commercial or BBC – that’s made in Devon, all day, every day. It broadcasts across Exeter, Mid and East Devon on 107.3FM and is also available on a free app for iPhone, iPads or Android devices, and on RadioPlayer, the TuneIn Radio app, or by listening online at www.radioexe.co.uk.

See also: BBC Radio Devon's audience plummets http://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/business-daily-local-news/bbc-radio-devons-audience-plummets