If you grew up in the UK during the 1980s, the voice of Mike Read was as familiar as the Top 40 countdown. He was the DJ who woke millions on BBC Radio 1 and hosted Top of the Pops. But his career took unexpected turns — from writing stage musicals to facing bankruptcy in 2009. This is the story of a broadcaster who reinvented himself while staying on the air.

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Born: 1947, Manchester, England · Occupation: DJ, television presenter, writer · Known for: BBC Radio 1, Top of the Pops · Marital status: Married (since 1977) · Children: 2 · Notable event: Declared bankrupt in 2009

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continuing radio shows on KCFM (Hull) and Star 107.5 (Gloucestershire) (Heritage Chart)
  • Growing the Heritage Chart brand (Heritage Chart)
  • Appearances on Talking Pictures TV (Wikipedia)
  • Active on X (Twitter) @MikeReadUK (Mike Read on X)

Nine key facts, one pattern: Mike Read’s life mixes durable broadcasting fame with a private undercurrent of financial strain.

The table below pulls together the known biographical data points.

Category Detail
Full name Michael David Kenneth Read (commonly Mike Read)(Wikipedia entry)
Date of birth 1 March 1947(Wikipedia) (some sources say 1951(John Miles Organisation biography))
Place of birth Manchester, England (IMDb biography)
Occupation DJ, television presenter, writer, musician(Wikipedia)
Spouse Reportedly Lynn (married 1977) (Pressorbit (secondary source) — conflicting reports exist) (CivicPost (alternative account))
Children 2(John Miles Organisation)
Notable for BBC Radio 1, Top of the Pops, Heritage Chart(Wikipedia)
Bankruptcy 2009 (Mirror report)
Current residence Gloucestershire (inferred from radio station affiliation)(Heritage Chart)
Bottom line: The implication: the record shows a public figure with known achievements but several personal details still in dispute.

What happened to Mike Read DJ?

Mike Read is alive and active in broadcasting as of 2025. After leaving BBC Radio 1 in 1991, he moved to commercial stations and later faced a very public bankruptcy in 2009(Mirror, British tabloid). He sold his record collection the following year (Record Collector magazine, niche editorial, anecdotal). Yet he rebuilt his career: he now hosts shows on KCFM in Hull and Star 107.5 in Gloucestershire, and founded the Heritage Chart — a chart for classic hits(Heritage Chart official team page).

Is Mike Read DJ still alive?

  • Yes. He is alive and regularly posts updates on his X account @MikeReadUK as of early 2025 (verified X profile).
  • He continues to broadcast on multiple radio stations across the UK(Heritage Chart).

What is Mike Read doing now?

  • He presents weekend shows on KCFM (Hull) and Star 107.5 (Gloucestershire)(Heritage Chart team page).
  • He created and curates the Heritage Chart, which counts down classic pop and rock hits(Heritage Chart).
  • He makes regular appearances on Talking Pictures TV’s The Footage Detectives(Wikipedia).
Bottom line: Mike Read is still on the air. Listeners in Hull and Gloucestershire can hear him weekly; fans of oldies can follow the Heritage Chart. For aspiring broadcasters, the lesson is that even a high-profile bankruptcy does not have to end a career in radio.

Has Mike Read the DJ ever been married?

According to multiple sources, Mike Read has been married. The most consistent public record suggests a marriage in 1977, but the name of his spouse is disputed. The content plan cites a wife named Lynn, while other secondary sources name Eileen or Sue (Pressorbit) (CivicPost). The John Miles Organisation, a reliable biography site, does not address his spouse directly(John Miles Organisation). The most cautious reading: he has been married, has two children, but the wife’s name remains unconfirmed by an authoritative source.

Who is Mike Read’s wife?

No single authoritative source has been identified. The content plan for this article uses the name Lynn, but it should be treated as unverified. The Wikipedia article on Mike Read does not mention a spouse(Wikipedia). The Mirror’s report on his bankruptcy also omits his wife’s name(Mirror).

Does Mike Read have children?

Yes. The John Miles Organisation states he has two children(John Miles Organisation, biography resource). Their names and ages are not publicly listed.

Where does Mike Read live now?

Likely Gloucestershire. His work on Star 107.5, which broadcasts to the county, suggests he lives nearby(Heritage Chart). Prior to bankruptcy he lived in Surrey, but his post-2010 residence has not been confirmed by property records.

Bottom line: Mike Read is married and has two children. The public record on his wife’s identity is contradictory, so any specific name should be treated with caution. His current location is inferred from his radio work.

What age is DJ Mike Read?

The most reliable sources give his birth date as 1 March 1947, which would make him 78 years old in 2025(Wikipedia). A conflicting but less authoritative secondary source gives 1951(John Miles Organisation, biography; note confidence: low). This discrepancy has not been resolved by a primary record (such as a birth certificate) in the public domain.

What is Mike’s actual name?

His full birth name is Michael David Kenneth Read, according to Wikipedia(Wikipedia). He has always performed and been credited as Mike Read.

How old is Mike Read DJ?

If born in 1947, he is 78 as of 2025. If born in 1951, he would be 74. The 1947 date is better sourced but not flawless.

The catch

Even Wikipedia, typically a Tier-2 source, carries a degree of uncertainty here. Two credible biographies give different years, so readers should be aware that his exact age is not definitively settled.

What is Mike Read famous for?

He is best known as a BBC Radio 1 DJ from 1978 to 1991, where he presented the breakfast show and attracted up to 17 million listeners in the 1980s(Mirror, quoting audience figures). He also hosted Top of the Pops, Saturday Superstore, and Pop Quiz on television(Wikipedia). Outside broadcasting, he wrote stage musicals like Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol(John Miles Organisation), and authored several books (The Independent, British newspaper profile).

What songs has Mike Read written?

He has recorded and released singles under various names: The Trainspotters, Micky Manchester, Rock-olas, Grasshoppers, and The Ghosts (Angel Air Records, specialist label). The songs are generally pop-rock novelty tracks; none became major hits.

What genre of music does Mike Read play?

On air he plays classic pop, rock, and oldies — the format of his Heritage Chart and his current radio shows(Heritage Chart). He is associated with the “heritage” sound of the 1950s–1980s.

What to watch

His musical output as a performer is modest and not part of his mainstream fame. Fans expecting a catalogue of hits will be disappointed; his legacy is squarely in broadcasting, not songcraft.

Does Mike Read DJ wear a wig?

This persistent question has no credible supporting evidence. Photographs of Mike Read across his career show consistent hair that matches a natural pattern — no wig lines, no style change that would indicate a hairpiece(Wikipedia image gallery). No hairdresser, colleague, or credible article has ever confirmed the rumor. It likely originates from the loose gossip that follows many public figures.

Confirmed facts

  • Mike Read is alive and active in broadcasting.
  • He was a BBC Radio 1 DJ and Top of the Pops host.
  • He was declared bankrupt in 2009 and sold his record collection.
  • He currently presents on KCFM, Star 107.5, and runs the Heritage Chart.
  • He has written stage musicals and books.

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth (no public disclosure).
  • Whether he wears a wig (no evidence).
  • His wife’s name (conflicting sources).
  • His exact date of birth within 1947 (some say 1951).
  • His current precise address.

“In the 1980s Mike Read regularly pulled in 17 million listeners.”

Mirror (British tabloid, reporting audience figures)

“Mike Read is a superb DJ.”

The Guardian (UK newspaper, media commentary)

The upshot

Despite bankruptcy and age, Mike Read has carved out a viable second act. His Heritage Chart gives him a digital-age platform, while local radio keeps him connected to a loyal audience. The wig rumor is baseless and distracts from a genuine broadcasting comeback.

Timeline

  • — Born in Manchester, England(Wikipedia).
  • — First paid radio job at Radio 210 in Reading (The Independent, British newspaper profile).
  • — Joined BBC Radio 1(John Miles Organisation biography).
  • — Began hosting Top of the Pops(John Miles Organisation).
  • — Left the Radio 1 Breakfast Show(John Miles Organisation).
  • — Left BBC Radio 1(Mirror).
  • — Left Classic FM(The Independent).
  • — Declared bankrupt(Mirror).
  • — Record collection sold at auction (Record Collector magazine, niche media).
  • — Presenter on KCFM, Star 107.5; launched Heritage Chart(Heritage Chart).
  • — Appearances on Talking Pictures TV; active on X(Wikipedia).

The implication: Mike Read’s timeline shows a classic arc of rise, fall, and reinvention. The bankruptcy in 2009 is the clear pivot point, splitting his career into “mainstream celebrity” and “niche survivor.”

Bottom line: Mike Read is what a veteran DJ looks like after a financial crash. For industry observers: his ability to stay on air post-bankruptcy is rare. For fans: he is still accessible on local and digital radio.
Additional sources

ukgameshows.com, bbc.co.uk

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Heritage Chart?

It is a weekly radio chart countdown for classic pop and rock hits, founded by Mike Read. It airs on multiple stations across the UK and online.

How did Mike Read become a DJ?

After singing in pubs and playing guitar, he got his first radio job at Radio 210 in Reading in 1976. He then joined BBC Radio 1 in 1978.

Did Mike Read write any hit songs?

He recorded singles under several pseudonyms, but none became a major chart hit. His writing is better known in stage musicals than in recorded music.

What station does Mike Read broadcast on now?

He hosts shows on KCFM (Hull) and Star 107.5 (Gloucestershire), and his Heritage Chart airs on various stations.

Has Mike Read ever won a radio award?

There is no widely reported award in the public record. His legacy rests on audience reach and longevity rather than formal prizes.

What is Mike Read’s connection to Hull?

He presents on KCFM, a station serving Hull and East Yorkshire. The station’s owner and link to the city are part of his current professional network.

Is Mike Read involved in any charity work?

Occasional charity appearances are mentioned in passing, but no sustained charity affiliation appears in his public biography.

Mike Read’s story is one of extraordinary reach followed by public collapse and a quiet, unglamorous return. For the UK radio industry, his career illustrates that audience loyalty can survive personal financial disaster — but only if the broadcaster continues to show up. For aspiring DJs, the choice is clear: build a reputation that outlasts any single setback, and keep your personal finances separate from your public persona. Read’s post-bankruptcy reinvention proves that staying on air matters more than avoiding a fall.

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