BBC WM presenter Ed Doolan has died aged 76 after suffering with vascular dementia.
For over 20 years the veteran BBC broadcaster recorded his popular Christmas show at Symphony Hall annually for broadcast on BBC WM 95.6FM during the Christmas holiday.
He joined BBC Radio WM in 1982 and was the first local radio presenter to be inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame, in 2004.
Mr Doolan was appointed MBE for services to broadcasting and charity and was the first person to be awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Birmingham, the University of Aston and Birmingham City University.
The PBL team is saddened to hear of the passing of Ed Doolan. Ed had a special relationship with us having presented broadcasts live from Symphony Hall and Town Hall, and his annual Christmas show has been a regular part of the Christmas programme at Symphony Hall since 1994. He will be very much missed.
Nick Reed, Chief Exectuive Officer
I began working with Ed in the early 80s at what was then BBC Radio Birmingham. Ed was a larger than life figure, he helped me find my way around radio while I was setting up the Asian Network. He often gave me practical tips as well as words of wisdom on how to survive the very complex world of broadcasting I found myself in. Thank you Ed, you will be missed by so many.
Anita Bhalla, Chair