1953 in British radio

This is a list of events from British radio in 1953.

Events

6 January – The Broadcasting Council for Wales meets for the first time.
2 June – The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II is broadcast on the BBC Home Service and the BBC Light Programme, with seven hours of coverage provided; John Snagge is one of the commentators.
7 September – The BBC Third Programme broadcasts A Very Great Man Indeed, the first of seven comedy plays by Henry Reed featuring the fictitious lesbian avant-garde composer Hilda Tablet, with music by Donald Swann.
12 November – Writers Frank Muir and Denis Norden introduce the dysfunctional family of The Glums into comedy series Take It from Here and they become the most popular segment of the show. For this series, Joy Nichols has been replaced in the cast by singer Alma Cogan and actress June Whitfield.
Late 1953 – Lesley Saweard joins the cast of BBC serial The Archers to take over the part of Christine Barford which she plays until 2019, making her the world's longest-serving soap opera actor in any medium.

Programme debuts

2 May – Variety Playhouse on the BBC Home Service
29 July – A Life Of Bliss on the BBC Home Service
2 August – Brain of Britain on the BBC Light Programme

Programme endings

May – PC 49 on the BBC Light Programme

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 Twenty Questions Any Questions? Mrs Dale's Diary Take It from Here Billy Cotton Band Show A Book at Bedtime

''Ray's a Laugh''

1950s

The Archers Educating Archie Listen with Mother

''The Goon Show''

Births

2 January – Iain Pattinson, comedy writer
6 January – Paul Mayhew-Archer, comedy writer and producer
22 February – Geoffrey Perkins, comedy producer
21 April – Jim Lee, radio continuity announcer and newsreader
1 June – Tim Bentinck, Australian-born actor and aristocrat
26 October – Roger Allam, actor
29 October – Lorelei King, American-born actress
David Owen Norris, classical pianist, composer, academic and broadcaster

Deaths

9 April – C. E. M. Joad, philosopher and broadcaster
6 May – Harold Warrender, actor and quiz show host
30 September – Robert Mawdesley, stage and radio actor
9 November – Dylan Thomas, Welsh poet and radio broadcaster