Bottom 30 (1980) Placing: #9
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David Hamilton was
born
David Pilditch in Manchester, on 10 September 1938.
David Hamilton (his mother's maiden-name) at first followed his father into
Journalism. While still a student at Glastonbury Grammar School, David (a keen
footballer) began writing a weekly column for a national football magazine, and
after leaving school in 1956 he took a job with ATV as a documentary script-writer.
In 1959, during his 'National Service' in Germany, David joined the 'British Forces
Broadcasting Service' and gained valuable experience 'in front of the microphone'.
1961 brought a 'career move' which ultimately changed David's life - he took a job
as 'Continuity Announcer'for Tyne Tees Television. A move to ABC TV (Manchester)
came the following year, where David remained as both 'Continuity Announcer' and
'Presenter' until 1968 (when the merger with Rediffusion created Thames).
Like many ABC (and Rediffusion) staff, David Hamilton transfered to the new company in 1968.
In 1973 David accepted an offer from the BBC to become a 'DJ' on Radio 1.
This meant that every weekday, after finishing his morning radio programme for the
BBC, David would take a taxi from Broadcasting House, and travel the short hop to
Euston Studios. There he would take his seat in the Continuity Studio and (with
his trusty copy of 'TV Times') introduce ITV programmes to millions of viewers
across the London area. In addition to this he would occasionally act as a
programme presenter for Thames, notably for programmes like "Miss TV Times".
On radio, David Hamilton moved-on from the BBC in 1986, and took up a post on
London's Capital Gold. He can currently be found hosting his own show on Melody FM.
David's love of football has never waned over the years, he supports Fulham FC and
also has the destinction of being Honarary President of 'The Showbiz XI' football
team - indeed, one of David's fondest memories is of playing in a charity match
against the England team who won the 1966 World Cup Final!
On-air there was also a hatred between Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton.
Blackburn used to describe Hamilton as "the worst man in radio" etc.
This continued when they both worked for Capital Gold.
It was all in jest though, as DH was best man at TB's wedding.
David got the nick-name "Diddy" as he worked with Ken Dodd as one of his
diddy men.
Links ...
Radio Rewind on David Hamilton
