As previously reported, the show, which has been broadcasting a mix of dub, reggae and other roots and underground musics since 1984, went off air in March, for the first time in its history, as a part of the BBC’s stripping back of its local radio programming in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

That was intended to be a temporary measure. But now it appears the show is to be cut from the schedules permanently, as part of a further major restructuring of local radio programming by BBC England, which is required to make savings of £25 million by March 2022 as part of the BBC’s wider cost cutting measures.

Since going off air in March, Steve and the show’s team have carried on broadcasting On The Wire weekly via Mixcloud. He now says they intend to “keep on putting out shows every week at Saturday midnight with no changes to our modus operandi other than we could run over time”.

He adds: “For me personally and the On The Wire team, no BBC representative has taken the trouble to formally inform us that On The Wire is not required, or discuss any possible future for the programme, or even thanked us for running the show without break since 1984, or even said anything at all, save the local manager telling me by a quick phone call that I would not be getting another contract and he was really sorry. Although we will be on Mixcloud it will never be quite the same. We did not leave the BBC, the BBC left us.

“If you feel moved to voice your opinion,” Steve concludes, “then I know the BBC is always open to feedback. Write to the station manager at BBC Radio Lancashire john.clayton@bbc.co.uk and copy in the Head of BBC Local Radio chris.burns@bbc.co.uk.”

A petition has also been launched via Change.org.