Billy is regarded as one of the voices of Liverpool and started his legendary career in guest slots on Radio Merseyside in 1971
20:06, 24 Jan 2026Updated 20:07, 24 Jan 2026
Billy Butler at home in New Brighton(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Legendary DJ Billy Butler has been flooded with support as he marks his 84th birthday today, January 24. Fellow DJ Pete Price took to social media with a picture of the two together as he sent a heartfelt message. He said: “Happy birthday Mrs Butler’s eldest, hope you have a wonderful day with the amazing Lesley Butler, your fabulous wife xxx.”
Comments have also been left under the Liverpool ECHO’s birthday message for the radio veteran, on Facebook. One message from Michael Pierce said: “Legend. Happy birthday mate all the best” and another from Jim Gorman, said: “Happy Birthday Billy, Have a great weekend.”
Billy is regarded as one of the voices of Liverpool and started his legendary career in guest slots on Radio Merseyside in 1971. He moved across to Radio City in 1979, around the same time he became the co-host of a Saturday morning children’s TV show, The Mersey Pirate.
He returned to Radio Merseyside in 1983, and remained there until 2018, when the station decided not to renew his contract. The “king of the airwaves” announced his return to radio with a new Sunday show in late 2025.
He previously hosted three hour slots on both Saturday and Sunday on Liverpool Live. In a Facebook and Instagram post bidding farewell to Billy in November, a Liverpool Live spokesperson wrote: “Broadcasting legend, Billy Butler’s career spans more than five decades across stations including BBC Radio Merseyside, Radio City, and most recently here with us at Liverpool Live.
“His wit, warmth, and unforgettable shows including ‘Hold Your Plums’ have made a lasting impact on Merseyside Radio. Billy was the first voice heard on Liverpool Live when we launched at 10am on Sunday, July 26, 2020.
“Like all good things….. they must come to an end … We would like to thank Billy for his knowledge, dedication, and the valuable time he has given to Liverpool Live.”
His absence from broadcasting was short lived as he took up a new slot on In Demand Decades every Sunday from midday, which started on December 14.
Announcing the news on The Brekky Butler morning show in November, Billy’s son Lee Butler said: “If you love my dad Billy Butler – and there’s loads of love – and you love Hold Your Plums and you love everything that my dad used to do, including The Bradshaws, we’ve got some hot news because guess what…
“Because we have a brand new Sunday show on In Demand Decades. It’s going to be the battle of the Butlers because at midday, Bully Butler’s going to be on In Demand Decades.
“Every single Sunday from December 14 he’s going to be on midday until two, and guess who’s going to be on after him – me!”
A further post on In Demand Radio’s Facebook page read: “Last month, he confirmed his Sunday show will no longer be broadcast. The radio legend has previously hosted three hour slots on both Saturday and Sunday.
“Some amazing news was announced this morning…We are honoured and privileged to reveal that the king of the airwaves, Billy Butler, is joining @indemanddecades!”