Tributes have been paid to the Liverpool local radio presenter Norman Thomas who has died.

St Helens born Norman began a career in broadcasting when he joined Radio City as part of team of presenter at its launch in 1974.

A former schoolteacher Norman developed a huge following on the independent station and became a celebrity and household name across the region.

After leaving Radio City he ran businesses including a travel agency continued a career behind the microphone, with programmes on BBC Radio Merseyside and Radio Lancashire.

His former colleague Radio Merseyside presenter Billy Butler said: "Norman was a very kind and giving person and I am very sad to hear of his passing.

"He was a talented broadcaster, very quick-witted and with a natural ability to make friends of his listeners. He had time for everyone and was always full of full and high jinx.

"He was a gentleman and it was an honour to have known him."

Norman was known as "Little NT" and "Uncle Norm" to his listeners and colleagues alike.

Radio City presenter Peter Price, who starred in panto with Norman at the Liverpool Empire, said: "Norman was a real professional but he also had a mischievous streak. There was never a dull moment with him.

"Even if things were going wrong he had a smile on his face and loved to have a laugh. He was a real treasure."

Radio City Station Manager Richard Maddock said: ‘Uncle Norm’ was a true broadcasting great, a local legend who will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

"One of the original gang who launched Radio City in 1974, a generation of Merseyside’s woke up to him every morning on the breakfast show. Norman was at Radio City for 15 years and in time built up a loyal legion of fans and friends.

"He leaves a true legacy in the city as a talented presenter and a genuinely lovely bloke. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Norman hit the headlines in 1990 when he and his family survived a serious gas explosion that blasted apart his home a Bickerstaffe, near Ormskirk, Lancs.

The DJ suffered spinal injuries and was one of five people taken to hospital.

Firemen used heavy lifting gear to free his son Gareth, then aged eight months, from the wreckage and his wife Alison suffered a broken leg in the blast.

Norman's family are planning a private funeral but it is expected that a public memorial service in celebration of his life will be held at a later stage.

By:- Chris Johnson


Source:-
http://www.clickliverpool.com/news/local-news/1213358-death-of-liverpool-radio-l...