Feathers fly as pigeon upstages radio DJ from Sidmouth

In the current lockdown, one has to wonder if animals and birdlife really are taking over from humans? Sidmouth's Stuart Hughes found out first hand yesterday.

Wild goats have been nibbling flowers in gardens in Llandudno, deer have been seen chewing lawns in East London and yesterday veteran radio DJ Stuart Hughes was upstaged by a pigeon.

Imagine the surprise felt by DJ Stuart Hughes arriving for his Sunday Show on Radio Ninesprings, 104.5 FM, to find a pigeon had beaten him to the microphone.

Radio DJ and Sidmouth county councillor Stuart Hughes presents radio shows on Sid Valley Radio on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with an extra hour long show on Sunday evenings.

As well as his commitments to local radio in the Sid Valley Stuart also presents a weekly show for Radio Ninesprings in Yeovil. He combines his weekly trip to Yeovil with delivering food to his elderly mother.

The 'Huggy Hughes Show,' broadcast 9am to midday every Sunday on the Yeovil radio station, was confronted by the uninvited guest just minutes before going live with his regular slot.

In the hot weather, the radio station has been leaving a studio window slightly ajar but it seems the open window was the opportunity for the curious pigeon to enter and show he too was worth a flutter as a radio presenter.

Stuart said: "When I opened the studio door, I found this pigeon sitting in my chair and not wanting to budge. It was as though the bird quite fancied being a radio jock.

"Perhaps I should have opened the microphone, given it some headphones and songs to play? But no doubt it would have wanted his own songs – 'Come Fly with Me' and 'Up Up and Away' may be! Luckily, the pigeon didn't dive-bomb the equipment and after opening the window a touch further, he was gone in a single swoop."

Radio Ninesprings Station Manager, Steve Haigh said: "Radio Ninesprings is closely associated with pigeons as it was a pigeon that launched the station in 2018 flying to the corners of South Somerset with a message saying Radio Ninesprings could be heard on 104.5 FM.

"I'm left wondering if this was the same pigeon that just popped back to say hello? As to him becoming a regular jock – well, provided there's no Pigeon English, then we might just consider making him one of the team."

If you would like to listen to Stuart on Sid Valley Radio tune in between 11am and 1pm on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays, or on Sundays between 7pm and 8pm.