Former Wolverhampton DJ celebrates 100th birthday
A Black Country broadcasting legend has celebrated his 100th birthday and received more than 100 cards from well-wishers across the globe.
Eric Cull once billed himself as Britain's oldest radio disk jockey as he volunteered at Radio Wulfrun, at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, deep into his 90s.
His journey began in the radio business in 1963 in his native County Down, Northern Ireland, when he converted a pigsty into a studio and began to broadcast to the world.
He continued to present shows in Northern Ireland, until he moved to Wolverhampton in 1974.
The avid Wolves fan took a job as a flat superintendent for the council and started presenting for Beacon Radio.
In 1992, he then landed a role at Radio Wulfrun, aged 73, and started hosting a Sunday show that he held for more than 20 years.
The show included interviews and discussion, and a programme called Musical Memories, giving senior patients a blast from the past.
He met his friend Margaret Leath shortly after moving to Wolverhampton through a cricket club.
The 68-year-old said: "He did lots of work in the hospital and it was only in the last couple years that he retired.
"He's a huge Wolves fan after he first watched them in the 1930's and he's watched them ever since.
"For his birthday he also had a box at Molineux to watch Wolves against Brighton.
"He loved his radio show, he's still extremely alert, and although he's frail, his mind is very active."
To celebrate his 100th birthday, Eric was joined by his wife Joyce, and family and friends, for an afternoon tea on Friday April 26, after a week of celebrations.
Margaret added: "It was lovely and low-key.
"At 100, he did a lot for his birthday week, so it was right that it was low-key, as he can only deal with some much, there was only around a dozen of us, but he was very happy.
"He was sent around 120 birthday cards from all over the world, he was loved and respected because of the work he's done, and his children came to see him from as far as America and Bali.
"He's a kind, gentle, thoughtful and respectful man.
"It's fitting that he's getting some recognition for his 100th birthday."
