Former BBC Radio Merseyside host Linda McDermott has returned to the airwaves after the death of beloved DJ Johnny Kennedy and axeing of her BBC radio show . 

Linda McDermott’s radio programme Under the Duvet Club has been re-instated from BBC Radio Merseyside to Liverpool Live Radio.

The show was originally axed on the BBC after the controversial re-organisation of its local radio services across England, with more shows becoming networked instead of its usual local output. 

Linda’s first show took place on Liverpool Live Radio, with Linda saying: “I am so pleased to have your company back on the radio.

“The clocks go back next weekend and it’s time to go back under the duvet and you’ll find it’s pretty chummy under that duvet but there’s lots of warmth on the way and pretty fantastic people on the way, sailing back onto the airwaves at Liverpool Live”. 

During the show, which now airs Sunday nights 10am-1am on radio station Liverpool Live Radio, revealed it took a lot of persuasion after a tough year, losing her husband, Johnny Kennedy. 

She added: “Thank you for all of the words of encouragement, beautiful messages of support, and kindness to me, not only tonight, but over the past few months, because it’s been the worst year of my life, losing John, Johnny Kennedy, the legend, my awesome, beloved husband.

“It’s taken a lot of persuasion and a lot of pressure, gentle, but relentless, to get me back on air. But radio is my happy place, that little box that connects people all over the world in one big conversation. What could be better than that.”

Announcing the news earlier this week on social media, Liverpool Live Radio said: “‘STOP THE PRESS’ It is a new show alert! Linda McDermott joins the team at Liverpool Live with her legendary “Under the duvet club”! Starting this Sunday night 10pm – 1am, Only on Liverpool Live Radio".

Several fans took to social media. One Facebook user said: “This makes sense, people from around the world listened to her, listening figures will go through the roof.”

Fellow former BBC radio broadcasters Roger Lyon, Frankie Connor and Billy Butler MBE also expressed their delight at Linda returning to the airwaves, all of who are also hosts on the station.