OPINION: Mark Murphy to leave Radio Suffolk after 33 years

BBC Local is moving in a new direction and so it’s time for me to move on and let someone else enjoy what I’ve enjoyed for the last 33 years. 

I won’t kid you; it’s been a big decision to walk away from the job I love but I believe the time is right.  

From a young age I’d always wanted to work in radio, growing up listening to Radio Caroline under the bedclothes at night it was always a dream of mine.       

READ MORE: Mark Murphy to leave Radio Suffolk as BBC cuts local shows

It’s almost 33 years to the day that I first set foot in BBC Radio Suffolk, just two weeks or so before it went on air.  

Here I was stepping into Broadcasting House, OK the one in Ipswich and not London but it was still the BBC! 

I met Jim Ensom who was the programme controller, after a little chat he offered me the chance to get my foot in the door at BBC Radio Suffolk and that’s how it all began. When we launched in April 1990 I would rock up as a volunteer and make the tea and take phone calls for Stewart White who was our original Sunday morning host. Ironic that my last show will be that very same Sunday show 33 years later April 2nd, talk about full circle! 

My first BBC pay cheque came soon after that November when I worked on a show that was broadcast from Christchurch Park fireworks display, I received the princely sum of £15. Do you know I never cashed that cheque as I thought I might never get another one! I still have it today framed in my office at home.  

From those early days and after plenty of training I became a broadcast journalist in the mid 90’s, producing programmes, reading the news and out with my trusty reel to reel tape recorder. I took over the Drivetime show in 1998 and then moved to the flagship BBC Radio Suffolk breakfast show in 2000. I never dreamed in a million years I would ever do something like this, it really was the dream coming true.  

I’m very proud of what we achieved when I was on the show. I can remember the editor at the time Gerald Main coming into the studio with a sign saying, “you are number one”, we were the biggest breakfast show in Suffolk, even outperforming the late great Terry Wogan.    

Radio awards arrived to and in 2003 I was crowned the Radio Academy news broadcaster of the year, beating off the likes of Radio 4, 5 Live and the amazing BBC correspondent, Lyse Doucet. I have been blessed to work with some incredibly talented people who’ve helped me reach those heights.        

I’m most proud of being able to make a difference. Helping to raise 3 million pounds in 11 months to build the Treehouse children’s hospice was incredible to be involved with. I helped to create the Bin a Blade permanent knife amnesty for Suffolk, we spent a year going the Whole Hog helping Suffolk’s hedgehogs and I’m proud of creating Suffolk day, our annual celebration on June 21st of where we live.   

It all culminated in receiving my MBE last May which I accepted on behalf of all the amazing people I’ve worked with at the BBC for over 30 years and the incredible listeners who’ve tuned in. 

In his column for the EADT and Ipswich Star, Mark Murphy announces his departure from Radio Suffolk. (Image: Archant)

The BBC comes in for a fair amount of stick these days and yes some of it is justified but I can tell you it contains a passionate and talented workforce who I respect greatly and wish them all the best for the future.  

As for me I’m not retiring, I’m setting up my own media company, I’m also hoping to do some work with one of our great local charities and so watch this space.       

So, it’s goodbye BBC, thank you for everything and hello brave new world!