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Weeks Out

All proceeds to charity...

In 1977 Radio 1 management decided that a Week Out would provide an extra opportunity for listeners in UK regions to meet their favourite DJ's. Here we sample some of the weeks that were...

The first Week Out in February saw the transfer of the entire daytime output of Radio 1 moving from London to Manchester with 'Radio 1 in the North West'.

All Star Football Match

Kicking off with a Sunday football match between the DJ's of BBC Radio Manchester and Radio 1, the week continued with eleven hours per day of live programmes presented from temporary studios or radio cars throughout the North West area.

David Hamilton (right) live from WH Smith

WH Smith

Noel Edmond's breakfast show came from Forton Service restaurant on the M6 Junction 33. Tony Blackburn, Dave Lee Travis and David  Hamilton's shows were staged in the shop window of W.H. Smith's in Manchester's new Arndale Centre. Paul Burnett broadcast 'Worker's Playtime' style shows live from both Pilkington's and Kellogg's factory canteens.

1978 - A Week in the South; based in Portsmouth, with a football match against BBC Radio Solent. Here new boy Andy Peebles was heard for the first time on Radio 1. Disco fever was caught by the DJs at the Locarno Portsmouth and Southampton's Royal Pier.

Noel Edmonds distributes donated Easter Eggs

Plus a Week in Scotland based in Glasgow. The week included an 'Easter Egg In' where listeners were asked to donate unwanted Easter eggs for Children's Homes in the area.

Simon Bates and Peter Powell shiver

your timbers next to HMS Victory in

Portsmouth harbour.

Programme for the Southern Weeks

Out football match, 1978.

1979 - by now Radio 1 listeners had helped to  raise 150,000 for the Variety Club who held two meals in London and Manchester for the Children to celebrate and meet Radio 1 Disc Jockeys.

Jimmy Savile (top) and Peter Powell

meet some of the children who make

it all worthwhile

The year also saw a Week in South Wales with a temporary radio studio built in Allders, Queen Street Cardiff. The charity match against Radio Wales was played at Ninian Park, with discos held at Top Ranks in Swansea and Cardiff, with a special 'junior disco' at Bindles Ballroom in Barry. Noel Edmonds presented a huge cake to patients in the Prince of Wales Orthopaedic Hospital.

1981 - A Week in Scotland found shows live from Dundee, Glenrothes, Livingston, Kirkaldy and Dalkeith. A football match was held between BBC Scotland and two Great Radio 1 Disco Shows took place. Here, Dave Lee Travis was spotted dressed as Darth Vadar; Paul Burnett, Peter Powell and Simon Bates wore Navy uniforms - Simon's was bright pink - and Tony Blackburn danced whilst wearing a Brownie uniform.

Paul Burnett and Peter Powell

'in the Navy' during a Radio 1 Disco

1984 - 500,000 had been raised for charities including Children in Need. Gary Davies broadcast a live 2 hour show from Crystal Palace where 100 children from special schools and homes had been invited to a celebration party.

1987 - A Week Out in Aberdeen with Gary Davies at a haggis hurling competition, and Steve Wright collecting Easter Eggs for the children of Aberdeen. The Great Radio 1 Disco saw the DJs swapping their kilts to appear on stage as Tina Turner, Freddie Mercury, Elton John and Prince!

L-R Gary Davies, Simon Bates,

Bruno Brookes, Johnny Beerling, Steve

Wright and Mike Read get all dressed

up for Scotland.

Gary Davies and Simon Bates meet

some haggis hurling protestors!

Radio Car outside Pilkington's

glass factory, 1977.

Radio 1 and its generous audience successfully raised huge funds for young disabled and disadvantaged children, resulting in the opening of a Childrens' Ward at Kings College Hospital  London, buying of Sunshine Coaches, and providing outward bound holidays for all sorts of young people.