BBC radio stars broadcast live from ‘lovely, Christmassy’ York

Thor’s Tipi became the hub of the musicverse for a few hours on Friday (December 16) as two of Britain’s top radio stars turned it into their studio.

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie had brought their BBC Radio 6 Music lunchtime show from Manchester over the Pennines for one day only.

And it wasn’t just any show. Broadcast live from the tent on Parliament Street in York from 1pm-4pm, this was the Christmas Roadshow featuring many special guests and live performances.

“It’s great to be in York,” Mark said. “I’ve got some good friends in York.

“My great mate Jules Bellerby does the drive time show on Radio York and I stay quite often with him in Heworth.

“It just feels a great Christmassy place, York.”

Rick Witter’s trousers

Guests on the show included Shed Seven frontman Rick Witter, who holds a special place in their hearts.

“We tried to start the Radliffe Maconie Rock Trouser Museum,” said Mark. “I’ll be honest with you, it has been slow to get off the ground.

“But we have got one pair of gold slacks, which belonged to Rick Witter which he wore to perform Going For Gold on Top Of The Pops.

“We thought that was going to start a rush. It hasn’t.”

Other music guests were Neil Hannon from the Divine Comedy, Martin Ware from Heaven 17 with his new single and Eliza Carthy singing live.

York Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame

How do they rate this part of the world for music?

“Apart from Shed Seven, do I know any York-based music?” Stuart asked.

“The only other person I can think of is Chris Helme, who sang with John Squire and The Seahorses and who was a busker in York.

“York has always had a thriving music scene and good venues and everything.

“You would have to say that the York Rock’n’Roll Hall Of Fame would seem to be a thinly populated establishment.”

Stuart loves York at Christmas. “It’s lovely. It’s not quite as mad as you get in Manchester or Birmingham. It’s more relaxed, which is nice.

“York is a good place to visit in the winter. It’s got a wintry feel. I like that about it.”

Make It York head of communications Kay Hyde said: “We’re thrilled to have attracted BBC Radio 6 Music to York, it’s a real coup for the city and a brilliant opportunity to broadcast live from York to millions of listeners.

“Thor’s Tipi has been so popular and the atmosphere today has been electric with hundreds of people enjoying this special Christmas show.”