No wonder we’ve all gone radio gaga during lockdown

The radio is rarely off in our house. The baby blue Roberts transistor that sits on my kitchen worktop is switched on before I’ve had the first slurp of coffee, it keeps me company while I work from home, and the Shipping Forecast lulls me to sleep.

There have been few success stories during the pandemic but radio is one of them, with listener numbers up by as much as 50% since the first lockdown.

Radio hosts have become our surrogate pals, connecting us to art and conversation as social distancing puts an end to meeting friends down the pub or going to live gigs. Most have had to set up home-made studios, adding an extra layer of cosy companionship. I smile knowingly when a presenter apologises for the sound quality because they are broadcasting from an airing cupboard.

This week’s cover star Cerys Matthews is one of my favourites. Her Radio 6 show, an eclectic mix of guest interviews, world music and poetry, is part of my Sunday morning ritual. When I hear her warm Welsh accent I can feel my blood pressure drop, and hearing music from other cultures is a welcome escape when you’ve barely ventured beyond the local Co-op since March.

Cerys, who lost her nan during lockdown, says broadcasting to the nation during the pandemic has been a lifeline. She tells us on pages 6&7: “Just to feel connected with fellow humans is something that brings me a lot of comfort.”

It’s something we all need right now, even if it has to be over the airwaves.