Hospital radio DJ drops mic after 40 years

Norman Johnson is looking forward to spending time with his family

A hospital radio DJ has stepped away from his mic after 40 years of cheering up patients.

Norman Johnson has been a regular voice on Radio Stitch, the bedside station for hospitals across Teesside, since 1984.

The 82-year-old has now retired from the volunteer role to spend more time with his family.

He said: "Keeping active and doing my radio show has kept my brain working for sure but I don’t think I have another 40 years left in me.”

The music lover was the host of the Thanks for the Memories slot at the station, which is broadcast to patients at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and James Cook University Hospital.

Mr Johnson, who is from Stockton, said his favourite records to spin were Ken Griffin's Wonderful One and La Mer by Charles Trenet.

He said: "I enjoy music and it's been a lot of fun playing musicians not normally heard on the radio.

"I've had a great time and I've made some lifelong friends."

Mr Johnson was gifted a football shirt by former Middlesbrough keeper Jim Platt

To mark his retirement, Mr Johnson's colleagues organised a celebratory event attended by former Middlesbrough FC goalkeeper Jim Platt.

The football-mad DJ was given a shirt signed by the first team, along with an NHS long service badge.

Fellow Radio Stitch presenter Elliot Kennedy said Mr Johnson would be missed at the station.

He added: "It’s not just going to be the same without Norman.

"He’s been a fixture here for decades and literally thousands of patients have enjoyed listening to him as he introduced record after record.

“His commitment to volunteering has been incredible."