1947 in British radio
This is a list of events from British radio in 1947.
Events
January
- 2 January – Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh, starring Kenneth Horne and Richard Murdoch, having started out as a recurring sketch in the wartime comedy-variety show Merry-Go-Round, debuts on the BBC Light Programme, continuing in various formats until 1954.
February
- 21 February – Two issues of Radio Times are missed due to the winter 1946–47 fuel shortage greatly exacerbated by severe weather.
March
- 28 February – The UK version of Twenty Questions is launched on BBC radio, originally presented by Stewart MacPherson with a panel comprising Richard Dimbleby, Jack Train, Anona Winn and Joy Adamson and with Norman Hackforth as the mystery voice.
April
- 9 April – How Does Your Garden Grow? debuts on BBC radio; as Gardeners' Question Time it will still be running more than 65 years later.
May
- 30 May – The BBC Light Programme broadcasts a special evening of programmes in honour of the eightieth birthday of Queen Mary, including the premiere of Agatha Christie's play Three Blind Mice, later adapted as a television play, short story and the stage play The Mousetrap.
June to September
- No events.
October
- 6 October – Philip Odell, a fictional detective created by Lester Powell and played by Canadian actor Robert Beatty, is heard for the first time on BBC radio in Lady in a Fog.
- 24 October – Francis Poulenc's Sinfonietta receives its world premiere in a broadcast concert from London having been commissioned by the BBC for the first anniversary of their Third Programme.
November
- 18 November – The BBC links up with stations around the globe in the programme BBC Covers the World.
- 20 November – The Princess Elizabeth, daughter of George VI marries The Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey, London. The service is broadcast on BBC radio.
- Gracie Fields hosts Our Gracie's Working Party on BBC radio; in the series, she visits twelve towns, compering and performing in a live show of music and entertainment, with local talents on the bill.
December
- No events.
Debuts
- 28 February – Twenty Questions on the BBC Home Service
- 9 April – How Does Your Garden Grow? on the BBC Home Service
- 27 October – PC 49 on the BBC Light Programme
- 2 November – Round Britain Quiz on the BBC Light Programme
Programme endings
- 26 December – ''The Happidrome''
Continuing radio programmes
1930s
- ''In Town Tonight''
1940s
Music While You Work Sunday Half Hour Desert Island Discs Family Favourites Down Your Way Have A Go Housewives' Choice Letter from America- ''Woman's Hour''
Births
- 1 March – Mike Read, DJ
- 28 June – Gerry Northam, radio presenter
- 10 May – Laurie Macmillan, Scottish-born radio newsreader and continuity announcer
- 20 May – Greg Dyke, journalist and broadcaster, Director-General of the BBC
- 15 September – Mike Sweeney, DJ
- 20 September – Jeremy Nicholas, writer, actor and broadcast presenter
- 5 November – Steve Hodson, actor
- 20 November – Marilyn Imrie, Scottish theatre and radio drama director and producer
- Alistair Beaton, Scottish-born satirist, scriptwriter and radio presenter
- Natalie Wheen, arts presenter
- Peter White, blind radio presenter
Deaths
- 11 March – Victor Hely-Hutchinson, composer and conductor, BBC Director of Music
- 24 July – Ernest Austin, composer, arranger and songwriter associated with the Proms