Tony Wadsworth and Julie Mayer

Although this website is about the Wadsworth Family in America, our family roots are in England and every so often, as they say, its good to get back to you roots. So in this profile, I present two of Leicester England’s most popular radio hosts. The BBC WM husband and wife team of Tony Wadsworth and Julie Mayer.

Tony Wadsworth - Tony’s very first broadcast in 1968 was interrupted by a mouse in the back room of his father’s fishing tackle shop. Attracted by an abundance of food sources, the mice were prolific - local radio stations were not. But it was in Tony’s hometown of Leicester where the BBC had decided to launch the first of what was to become a highly successful chain of local radio stations throughout the country. It was in fact Tony’s father Tommy who initially contributed to BBC Radio Leicester with Tony filling in for him when he was on vacation. Tony’s career in radio had begun. For some years he continued to divide his time between the family business and freelancing for the BBC. Tony eventually found himself contributing not only to Radio Leicester, but also Radios One, Two, Four and the World Service. This pattern continued until 1981 when he decided to simplify his life and concentrate more fully on broadcasting. He accepted a full-time contract to present and produce radio programs and almost seventy years of bait and tackle trading ceased when the family business was sold. Tony went on to secure a staff position as senior producer and was awarded a coveted SONY award for the "Best local radio program" - the radio industry’s equivalent of the Oscars. A move into management occurred in 1991 when he was appointed Program Organizer at BBC WM but he’s continued to retain his place behind the microphone, presenting programs across the output.

Julie Mayer - Julie’s flair for "showbiz" was evident from an early age. She appeared in Pantomime while still at school and went on to work in a nightclub, mixing and mingling with the stars. From there she went into the Theatre where she met her future husband. Tony came in one day to rent a costume for a charity stunt he was organizing and came away with more than he bargained for: a wife and co-host of the breakfast program! Julie’s natural bubbly personality led ultimately to contributing on-air, and presenting programs for both local and national networks including the "Tales of Narnia" for Radio Four. Television appearances include "Midlands Today" - "Children in Need" and "The Heat is On" on BBC 1. Together with her husband Tony, she has won awards for the promotion of science, an award of distinction for raising awareness of disabilities and a special mention in the Queen Mother’s birthday awards for the campaign against litter. They are inclined to disagree on almost anything so while Tony stays in the studio, Julie goes out in the radio car talking to ordinary people about their often extra-ordinary lives. Between them their talking points of the day and competitions keep the phones busy throughout the show and contributions from listeners are essential part of the program.