Royal Free Radio host hangs up his headphones as he celebrates 55 years of hospital broadcasting

David Scarff is retiring as a radio host after over half a century of shows and thousands of song requests that brought companionship and comfort to patients, staff and visitors.

In 1970, a group of schoolboys founded a radio station known as Radio Enfield. David has witnessed what began as a small cupboard with one two-hour show every Sunday night evolve to become a charity station that broadcasts to multiple hospitals – which later merged with the Royal Free Charity to become Royal Free Radio in 2017.

He explained: ​“When we started, the country was still using pounds, shillings and pence, The Beatles had just broken up, ​‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ by Simon and Garfunkel was a new release and it would be four years before anyone had heard of ABBA.”

David is the charity’s longest continuously serving radio volunteer. Over the decades, his voice has become instantly recognisable to listeners, known for his warm presenting style, wide musical knowledge and tireless dedication to brightening hospital stays.

Jon Spiers, chief executive of the Royal Free Charity, said: ​“On behalf of the charity I wanted to say an enormous thank you for an incredible 55 years of entertaining patients across north London.

He is also the only presenter to have hosted from every studio at the six different sites the studio has broadcast from. In that time, he has used everything from vinyl records to high-tech computer software to present his programmes live from Chase Farm Hospital.

The highlight? ​“Meeting new people,” for David, who even met his wife through the charity’s station. His daughter now also presents her own show on Royal Free Radio.

Recalling his fondest radio memory, David said: ​“We had a whole ward singing ​‘Tulips from Amsterdam’ once; they phoned in from what was then the telephone trolley and they had the whole ward singing it. We got told off by the matron for causing a disturbance, but it was good fun!”

David added: ​“After 55 years of presenting on hospital radio – 47 on Radio Enfield then eight when we re-branded as Royal Free Radio – I’ll be hanging up my headphones. Hopefully, over the years, I’ve given some incentives for patients across north London to get out of hospital quickly rather than tuning in to me!”

David was part of many award-winning broadcasts, interviewed special guests and mentored new volunteers, leaving an indelible mark on the station and the community it serves.

He added: ​“To give 55 years of voluntary service is an incredible achievement, and we are so proud to celebrate this milestone with him. David will still be with us in the background as chairman of Royal Free Radio but is stepping back from regular programmes.”

To mark the occasion, Royal Free Radio hosted a special anniversary broadcast on 7 September, featuring some of his most memorable moments on air and messages from fellow volunteers and previous guests