VETERAN DJ Tony Blackburn enjoyed a brief stint as a Q Radio presenter yesterday as he officially opened its new headquarters in Belfast.
The 74-year-old took to the airwaves at the state-of-the-art base in the Fountain Centre on College Street.
The move by the station came after a £600,000 investment and 'QHQ' now boasts three studios and two newsrooms as well as a sales floor and private offices.
Blackburn, who uttered the first words on BBC Radio 1 in 1967, joined Owen and Yazz as a co-presenter on the Drivetime Show.
He said: "I'm delighted to be in Belfast for the official opening of Q Radio’s new headquarters.
"The space is so impressive and the presenting talent is top class. I've been made to feel so welcome I might relocate."
The event was also attended by guests from industry, commerce, community and political life, including Belfast Lord Mayor Nuala McAllister.
She said Q Radio's "relocation to the heart of Belfast will undoubtedly add to the progressively thriving landscape of the city centre".
Q Radio has stations based in Belfast, the North West, Down, Mid Ulster, Fermanagh, North and Mid Antrim and Tyrone.
Robert Walshe, managing director and head of programmes, said it "marks the dawning of another new chapter in the Q Radio journey".
"Just 18 months ago we took over a former Belfast commercial radio licence, and we’re very proud of the progress we’ve made in that time," he said.
"I believe that our ambition as a station is now abundantly clear, we want to achieve greater market share across Northern Ireland and perhaps even beyond.
"The investment in our new HQ is both a statement of confidence in where we are as a brand, and also of intent, in terms of what we are aiming for."
