There've never been more radio stations than now - and one of the biggest challenges for any of them is making sure radio listeners know they exist.

Thankfully, our Best Exotic Marigold Hotel-type approach is quite a story. A group of old folk get together and try to upset the radio applecart from their back bedrooms and garden sheds! Very much David and Goliath.

Boom has, therefore, earned brilliant coverage on BBC TV and ITV and just about every press title and magazine you can think of. We’ve been mentioned everywhere from Radio 4 to the Daily Star and Telegraph. David 'Bumble' Lloyd enthused about us on TV mid-cricket commentary; and Steve Wright even alluded to us on his final regular Radio 2 show.

Our team's interesting personal stories have made the headlines too, given we’ve each been in the business for decades. Few can rival David Hamilton’s 67 years on the radio, Judi Spiers’s tales of Pebble Mill and Gus Honeybun or Nicky Horne’s time spent with Lennon.

More importantly, we know from your touching messages how our regular presenters have become your friends. Our team on-air remains almost unchanged since the early days, although we were delighted to welcome names like Judi, Simon Bates and Rob Jones to our weekly schedule a few months after we started.

We’ve also welcomed an array of guest presenters – from Paul Burnett to Angela Rippon; Gyles Brandreth to Clare Teale; Len Goodman to Cliff; Michael Aspel to Jo Brand; Keith Skues to Dame Jenni Murray; Bob Harris to Chris Tarrant; Mike Read to Rosko.

Pete Murray was keen to contribute, not least on his 100th birthday – and how great it was to hear Tony Brandon return, aged 92.  Esther Rantzen joined us too for a series with her daughter Rebecca Wilcox.

Johnnie Walker hosted a pirate radio special for us and, when he died, his wonderful wife Tiggy shared the songs he’d recorded for her on a treasured cassette

We were delighted when Paul O’Grady agreed to join Boom and the response to his first programme was phenomenal. As you can imagine, we were as shocked to hear of his death as you were; and we were so sorry we couldn't enjoy his voice weekly as we'd hoped.  Mind you, we did repeat his jolly Christmas show the following Easter which caused some raised eyebrows. 

Last year, we said farewell to the great John Peters - a gifted chart presenter of the old school. We were so pleased that Boom had given John the national audience he'd always deserved.

Co-ordinating this orchestra of true radio talent from a back bedroom often feels surreal – and we are so pleased when huge names clearly feel that our humble station is worthy of their time.

We’re proud of our many specials too – from celebrating Everett at 80 to marking 70 years of ITV - and the anniversary of Radio Luxembourg’s closure. We recognised the contribution of pirate radio with a programme marking the 60th anniversary of Radio London and we broadcast a series of shows 55 years on since the stations were closed. And when it came to marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, who better than loco-owner Les Ross.

Boom celebrated 80 years since the start of the BBC Light Programme with all its familiar shows like Housewives’ Choice and Mrs Dale’s Diary - and we marked 50 years of UK commercial radio. Gail Morecambe brought us a fascinating hour reflecting on her father’s life, Tim Rice told ABBA's story and Garry Richardson led us through the story of The Sound of Music.

You’ve voted too on a range of fascinating charts – whether for Elvis songs, Bacharach compositions, Beach Boys tracks, ABBA songs – or your favourite instrumental or easy listening track. And, of course, there’s our annual All Time Chart – which always delivers our highest ever audiences by some margin each Easter. You can vote for this year’s All Time Chart here.

Challenged to feature more easy listening and ‘50s music, we launched our Boom Light sister station in August 2022. That brought more chances to enjoy Jenny Hanley’s fine programmes, the arrival of Don Back - plus Fran Godfrey, Charles Nove, Derek Webster and Guy Henry.

Boom Rock followed two years ago – and that station is now taking votes for its first ever Rock Album Chart – do vote here for your rock choice.

We recall well our relief when the broadcasting regulator Ofcom said no to the BBC's plans to lauch a rival which could have seriously threatened our existence. A battle against the BBC was not one we expected to have - let alone win. 

Our stations now attract more than a million listeners across a month and, according to the official audience research, your loyalty, as measured by the amount of time you spend with us each week, has broken all records.  Boom is far larger than we ever dreamed.

We've had celebrity support too, with many big names confessing to us that we are their guilty pleasure!  And many artists who released records which are now almost forgotten get in touch personally to say how great it is to hear them on the radio once more. 

The last five years have been an incredible ride and our energy is undimmed.

Thank you for listening.  And please spread the word!