Carnaby Street (radio programme)

The show's format is usually that of a contemporary presentation in the two chosen years.[1] Williams, with the assistance of his "co-presenters" Doris the Tea Lady, Harry the Engine Driver and Roger the Fireman, take the listener on board the Isle of Man Railways time train, whereupon they are transported back to the chosen year.[1] Music from the particular year is played together with Williams reporting contemporary news items which are spoken about in the context of the present tense.[1]

The format differs on the last Saturday of each month when the show comprises a general playlist of 60s music with no specific years featured.

Carnaby Street leans heavily on the kind of presentation common on Radio Caroline, making reference to that station's strong links to the Isle of Man. Radio jingles and competitions which would have been familiar to listeners of Radio Caroline in the 1960s are common throughout the transmission.[1][2] However if the chosen year is pre-1964 (i.e. prior to the commencement of Radio Caroline broadcasts), jingles from Radio Luxembourg are used instead.[1] Certain Radio London jingles also feature, and the show is very much geared to giving the feeling of a pirate radio broadcast in the spirit and style of Caroline and The Big L.[3]

Numerous competitions from the programme's sponsors are also featured with various prizes offered.[1]

The music covers a broad spectrum by well-known 60s artists, and the playlist also includes three; million selling records from both of the featured years.[2]

The manner of the presentation and tempo of the show is upbeat and vibrant, being referred to by Williams as: "the biggest little 60's show on the radio."[1] Often heard are quips by Doris, which invariably take the form of double entendre.[2]

The show generally ends with Williams reviewing some aspects of the show whilst Crunchy Granola Suite plays in the background.[2] The edition is then available on the Manx Radio website to be listened to again for the following seven days.

From 2017 Carnaby Street was also repeated in the early hours of Monday mornings as part of Manx Radio's overnight service. However as of the beginning of 2019 following a reappraisal of the overnight schedule the repeat transmission was discontinued with.

Whilst Manx Radio is a commercial radio station, advertising content on the show is from the show's sponsor only. However, contemporary radio adverts are also played in order to re-create the flavour of radio broadcasting in the 1960s.

The programme can trace its lineage to the 1970s with its genesis in previous Manx Radio programmes of a similar genre such as The Golden Oldies Show which was presented by Stu Lowe.[5] Following Lowe's departure from Manx Radio, Andy Wint took over the presentation of the station's traditional 60s music slot, and subsequently set about enhancing the presentation style and the show's format, providing a more professional tone to the production. In 2005 the Carnaby Street concept was introduced by Williams resulting in the show's current make up.[1]

In May 2015 Chris Williams had to temporarily stand down from presenting Carnaby Street following a bout of illness, with Simon Clarke deputising. Following a period of convalescence, Williams returned to present the show on 27 June.

The programme was presented by Bob Harrison on 21 March 2020 as a consequence of Williams undergoing a period of self isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still observing his period of self isolation Williams was however able to resume presenting the show on March 28, when he undertook the presentation from his home in Peel.

Williams was again absent from 14 November 2020 while he recuperated from an operation, with Chris Pearson deputising as programme presenter.

• Carnaby Street
• Carnaby Street