IT’S BEEN AMAZING, SAYS RADIO’S JOHN

RADIO Stoke DJ John Acres has thanked listeners for ‘welcoming me in’ as he prepares to leave the station after nearly 15 years.

The roving reporter has spent nine years working in sport and five in news since he moved to the area from Plymouth. Now John – who won acclaim for his ‘car crash’ interview with former Prime Minister Liz Truss – is heading back down south. He moved there last year from Packmoor to be closer to his son. John, right, is taking on a role with BBC Radio Devon, following the death of presenter Gordon Sparks. He told listeners his last day on air in the Potteries will be November 18. It’s not known who will take over his Thursday to Saturday show.

He said: “It’s a very sad day. I’ve had some wonderful times and it is really difficult because of you really – because of the way you’ve made me feel on this show and how you’ve welcomed me in. “Getting to work with my bestest pal has been amazing. It’s not been the easiest thing to do but you know I moved down south last year to be closer to my son Evan and that’s a big part of the decision.

“I’m also fed up with the A38, M5 and

M6 – it’s some journey.” John added: “I just wanted to thank you for supporting me, welcoming me in, stopping me in the supermarket and saying how much you enjoyed the shows and how much you enjoyed my commentaries. “The people around here are the best people in the world and I mean it. This area is absolutely brilliant.

“No one likes us, we don’t care. No one knows where we are, we don’t care.

Just magic people, a magic area and I’m going to be very sad to go. “Thanks for all your lovely messages which you’ve been sending me over the last few days since Saturday. It’s been really nice to hear some of your thoughts and what the show has meant to you.”

John said his move was not related to the corporation’s shake-up of local radio, which will see its 39 stations share more shows.

And he added: “BBC Radio Stoke is really important and let people know that you like it and support whoever replaces me on my three days when I’m semi-retired, just get behind them.” A BBC spokesman said: “John will be leaving the station and any schedule changes will be announced in due course.”