Billy Butler’s Liverpool Live shows came to an end last month – but his absence from radio stands to be short-lived
17:25, 29 Nov 2025Updated 17:38, 29 Nov 2025
Billy Butler on The Brekky Butler morning show with son Lee Butler(Image: In Demand Radio)
The “king of the airwaves” Billy Butler has announced his return to radio with a new Sunday show. The 83-year-old broadcasting legend has been a radio regular since 1971, when he got his start in guest slots on Radio Merseyside.
He previously hosted three hour slots on both Saturday and Sunday on Liverpool Live – but recently announced that his time at the station had come to an end. In a Facebook and Instagram post bidding farewell to Billy this month, 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.”
Fans expressed their disappointment at the news. However, Billy’s absence from broadcasting stands to be short-lived, as he takes up a new slot on In Demand Decades every Sunday from midday, starting on December 14.
Announcing the news on yesterday’s The Brekky Butler morning show, 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!”
Introducing the show, Billy said: “You get Plums, you get comedy captions, you get The Bradshaws, you get lots and lots of stuff. You get some records you probably haven’t heard before, and some you probably don’t want to hear again.
“It’ll be light-hearted, it’ll be local, and hopefully it’ll be funny. Like you’re show in the morning Lee, it’s full of fun.”
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!
“Starting Sunday 14th December, you can catch the one and only Billy Butler every Sunday from midday. Expect the return of classics such as ‘Hold Your Plums’, ‘Comedy Caption’, ‘The Bradshaws’, and more… Don’t miss Billy’s debut show — Sunday 14th December, only on @indemanddecades.”
Broadcasting legend Billy is regarded as one of the voices of Liverpool, with a broadcasting career spanning more than 50 years.
Starting at 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.
He was the first presenter heard on Liverpool Live when the station launched in 2020, and remained there for five years until November 2025.