Surrounded by confetti and wearing a bright red party hat, Aberdeen DJ Claire Stevenson signed off on Friday after nearly 15 years as part of listeners’ lives.
The “mouthy Northern Irish bird” bid an emotional farewell to the Original 106 audience she has come to think of as friends.
She is now considering a return to university to study teaching, while looking forward to a few lie-ins after seven years of waking up at 5am for the breakfast show.
‘Hopefully you smiled along the way’
As the seconds ticked down on her long career, she said: “I have had 15 amazing years, it’s just been the best time. I love everyone here.
“It’s just brilliant radio for the north-east, and will continue to be so, you just won’t have that mouthy Northern Irish bird every morning.
“Thank you to everyone who listened… Hopefully you smiled along the way. That’s all that mattered.”
2 nights in a row chatting to the legend Shaun Ryder. An amazingly down to earth, genuine man with the best stories! 🤩❤️
Come back soon @officialswr pic.twitter.com/XiJ4koeqCT— Claire Stevenson (@clstevenson) April 30, 2022
After putting her headset down for the final time, and wiping away a few tears, Claire told us how she got her start by doing work experience while studying.
It “snowballed from there”, and she found herself getting some one-the-job training on the late night “graveyard shift”.
She said: “I started off broadcasting to drunk people and taxi drivers, and I just plied my craft from there…
“I’ve now done every show on Original, landing the prime time breakfast slot seven years ago.”
What are Claire Stevenson’s fondest memories as a local DJ?
The entertainer lists a trip to Budapest with the Tartan Army for a Scotland football match against Hungary as one of her top moments.
“That was just crazy,” she laughs.
Interviews have been her favourite part of the job – and one Britpop icon stands out as her most cherished encounter.
Claire explains her one-to-one with the notorious Noel Gallagher.
She said: “I got told he would be absolutely awful, I was warned he wouldn’t take to me…
“I went in so nervous… But I came out an hour and 20 minutes later! He was so chatty and lovely!”
What’s the secret to speaking with the stars?
Over the years she’s chatted to a string of stars arriving in Aberdeen to promote their shows, and a revolving door of panto performers – from Jimmy Osmond to Brendan Cole.
Her tip for interviewing celebrities?
“I just treat them like normal people, and chat to them the same as I would anyone else,” Claire advises.
Claire’s final song on Original 106 was Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy by The Tams:
How radio played a crucial role during Covid pandemic
For many, radio played a very important role as coronavirus limited social interaction, and prevented people from seeing friends and relatives.
Many of the messages Claire received from listeners during her final show centred around the company they enjoyed by tuning in during some long, lonely months.
“We kept people company,” Clare nods.
“We become a part of people’s lives, a part of their routine… It’s that familiar voice that people find quite comforting no matter what they are going through.
“Covid was a really tough time, and we were all in the same boat. I was doing the show from my house, and I lived by myself.
“But that’s when radio really came into its own. It helped us push through.
“I had one message today from someone saying they probably wouldn’t have got through Covid without us to keep them company.”
It’s my last show on @originalfm today. Almost 15 years of talking nonsense coming to an end 😂 What a time I’ve had! Thanks to everyone that has listened over the years ❤️ It’s been a joy to chat to you every day 🤩
— Claire Stevenson (@clstevenson) May 19, 2023
Do you have any messages for the Superstar DJ? Let us know in our comments section below
Claire Stevenson found new home in Aberdeen
After a celebration in at Original 106’s Marischal Square office, she headed downstairs for a lunch at Resident X.
The Belfast native has lived in Aberdeen for 24 years, since arriving as a student.
She was later joined by her sister as she married an Aberdonian, and Claire’s parents now have a home in Aboyne too.
“Ever since I arrived, it’s just felt like a home from home,” she said.
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