Dunn began his
broadcasting career when he was conscripted into the
RAF. He joined the BBC External Service in 1956 as a studio manager. He then became an announcer for domestic BBC Radio in the 1960s, presenting
Serenade in the Night from January 1960 and
Family Favourites from April of that same year, both on the Light Programme. From May 1967 he introduced classic jazz records on
Jazz at Night on the Home Service. From May 1967 he introduced classic jazz records on
Jazz at Night on the Home Service. It was Dunn who intoned "12:30 on Radio One ... the news – in English" during (American DJ)
Emperor Rosko's first show on the first day of
BBC Radio 1 on 30 September 1967. Dunn became one of the presenters of
Radio 2's
Breakfast Special with the start of the new networks, and the regular presenter from January 1970, but in 1972 he effectively swapped places with
Terry Wogan when the latter took over the breakfast show, whilst Dunn moved to the 3 pm to 5 pm slot
The Dunn Thing. This did not last too long, and in 1974 Dunn spent a year presenting
Late Night Extra. In the mid-1970s, Dunn briefly returned to his previous role as an announcer and newsreader, but he moved to his long running
drive time Radio 2 programme in 1976. After guesting on his drivetime show, writer/broadcaster Terence Pettigrew reversed their roles by inviting Dunn onto his
BBC Radio 2 programme
Caught in the Draft, a documentary about compulsory
national service, which had originated during the
Second World War and ended at the beginning of the 1960s. From 1972 to 1975, Dunn also presented the
Radio 4 children's programme
4th Dimension. This was a magazine programme comprising a mixture of documentary features, drama series and stories. In 1979, Dunn provided the BBC TV commentary at the
Eurovision Song Contest, held that year in
Jerusalem, and was the commentator for the
United Kingdom. In 1996, he presented his show live from
Antarctica. He remained in the early evenings until his last show on 2 October 1998, when he announced that he was retiring and that
Johnnie Walker was to be taking over the show. From then on, he continued to present documentaries for the network, as well as editions of
Friday Night is Music Night. == Awards and honours ==