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5 Live at 30: Yearbook

5 Live launched at 0500 on Monday 28 March 1994.

Over the past 30 years, here's how we reported on some of the biggest news and sport stories, along with some of our favourite moments too. Plus our presenters reflect on what 5 Live means to them.

1994: "Good morning. Welcome to a new network: Radio 5 Live. News and sport from the 大象传媒, 24 hours a day..."

Jane Garvey is the first voice on air, with Morning Reports the first programme.

1994: 5 Live's opening moments : 5 Live at 30

Jane Garvey becomes the first voice on the new 大象传媒 Radio 5 Live.

1995: "Cantona has got involved with a fan in the front row..."

1995: Cantona's kung-fu kick - 5 Live at 30

Jon Champion witnesses Eric Cantona fight with a fan after seeing red for Man Utd.

1996: "He looks down, he looks forlorn!"

1996: England's Euro 96 semi-final heartbreak : 5 Live at 30

Mike Ingham commentates on England's Euro 96 semi-final penalty shootout loss to Germany.

1997: "Tony Blair walks past the placard that says 'Labour Is Coming Home'..."

1997: Labour claim landslide election victory : 5 Live at 30

Peter Allen describes Tony Blair鈥檚 arrival in Downing Street as Prime Minister.

1998: "18 hours after last night's midnight deadline passed, politicians finally came through with the deal..."

1998: The Good Friday Agreement : 5 Live at 30

Brian Hayes reflects on a day of history in Northern Ireland.

Rachel Burden's 5 Live:

Every day is different, and (almost) every day we make each other laugh, on and off air
  • Describe 5 Live in 3 words: Talking with friends
  • What does 5 Live mean to you : 5 Live is my work home and my work family. It's taken me to places and events I never thought I would witness. It makes me smile and it challenges me every day.
  • What has been the stand-out moment during your time at 5 Live? : London 2012 - the magic of a shared moment, everyone cheering on the GB athletes and a celebration of British love of all sports
  • What do you love about your day-to-day role as a presenter on 5 Live? : Every day is different, and (almost) every day we make each other laugh, on and off air
  • What has been the most eye-opening moment of your time at 5 Live? : The way listeners shared their lives, their fears, their trauma, their hopes during the pandemic.
  • Tell us about a time you felt grateful to work at 5 Live : The support I had when I had to abruptly stop work when my fourth child arrived prematurely
  • What have you learnt during your time at 5 Live? : The audience is a wonderful hive mind of knowledge and experience and never underestimate it or take it for granted

1999: "...and Manchester United rule Europe - I don't believe it, but it's happened!"

1999: Manchester United win the Champions League - 5 Live at 30

Alan Green describes Manchester United's dramatic Champions League win in Barcelona.

2000: "History is made! I don't care what you're doing - stop it!"

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2000: Sir Steve Redgrave's fifth Olympic gold : 5 Live at 30

Alan Green commentates on an historic 5th consecutive Olympic gold for Sir Steve Redgrave.

2001: "People came streaming past me shouting 'Just get out! Just get out! Just get out!"

2001: The September 11 terrorist attacks in the USA - 5 Live at 30

Simon Mayo describes scenes in New York City after the World Trade Centre is attacked.

2002: "Welcome to a new era ... the 大象传媒's first digital station"

2002: The launch of 5 Live Sports Extra : 5 Live at 30

Juliette Ferrington announces the launch of 5 Live Sports Extra.

Dotun Adebayo's 5 Live:

Being the station's night watchman is a privilege beyond my wildest dreams.
  • Describe 5 Live in 3 words : Engaging, irresistible, addictive
  • What does 5 Live mean to you? : 5 live means the sound of the great British radio - to me.
  • What has been the stand-out moment during your time at 5 Live? : When her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II came to visit in 2012 as part of her Platinum Jubilee and in an impromptu moment I led the whole building in giving three cheers to her. I don't know what possessed me, but I am told that Her Majesty had a delighted smile on her face.
  • What do you love about your day-to-day role as a presenter on 5 Live? : I love the fact that my day to day role at the station is a night to night role where i get to talk for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the wee wee hours they call the graveyard shift. Being the station's night watchman is a privilege beyond my wildest dreams.
  • Tell us about a time you felt grateful to work at 5 Live : Being given the 大象传媒's gold award with a citation from my colleagues made me feel like i worked in the best place on the planet with the best people anybody could wish to work with.
  • What have you learnt during your time at 5 Live? : One of the many things I have learned at 5 Live is that we're all in this together.

2003: "He drops for World Cup glory!"

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2003: Jonny Wilkinson kicks England to World Cup glory

Ian Robertson commentates on England's Rugby World Cup final victory against Australia.

2004: "The windows crashed in, and then we were stumbling out, fleeing for our lives"

2004: Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami - 5 Live at 30

Christian Fraser reports on the devastating Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami

2005: "We're enjoying today Aggers!"

2005: England celebrate a famous Ashes win : 5 Live at 30

Jonathan Agnew speaks to Andrew Flintoff as he makes the most of England鈥檚 Ashes win.

2006: "Do we have enough troops [in Afghanistan] to combat what is in effect another war?"

2006: Peter Allen reports on UK troops in Afghanistan

Peter Allen is in Afghanistan reporting on the deplyoment of UK troops in the country.

2007: Jane Garvey says farewell

2007: Jane Garvey says farewell

Jane Garvey bids farewell to 5 Live - and longtime co-host Peter Allen.

Naga Munchetty's 5 Live:

There's no better way to get the best out of a contributor than by simply listening carefully.
  • Describe 5 Live in 3 words : Thought-provoking, lively, curious
  • What does 5 Live mean to you? : A station with a bunch of presenters and journalists I like and trust - it's a listening experience which is never predictable.
  • What do you love about your day-to-day role as a presenter on 5 Live? : You never know what to expect and we can grab the talking point of the day and run with it.
  • What has been the most eye-opening moment of your time at 5 Live? : It always surprises me how very engaged our audience is.
  • What have you learnt during your time at 5 Live? : There's no better way to get the best out of a contributor than by simply listening carefully.

2008: President Obama's historic US Election win

2008: Barack Obama wins the US presidential election - 5 Live at 30

Richard Bacon in Chicago witnesses Barack Obama becoming the 44th US President

2009: "150 people have had a miraculous escape tonight..."

2009 - US airlines flight crashes into Hudson river NY

Richard Bacon describes an extraordinary plane crash in the Hudson River.

2010: "Yippeeeeeeee! It's such a fantastic moment in the life of our country..."

2010: Chris Warburton bumps into Desmond Tutu

Chris Warburton bumps into Archbishop Tutu on the eve of the World Cup in South Africa.

2011: "As more and more people get to see the happy couple, you can hear the cheering"

2011: Prince William marries Catherine Middleton : 5 Live at 30

Victoria Derbyshire is among the crowds for the Prince and Princess of Wales' wedding.

2012: "Can you believe it?! It's double Gold for Mo Farah!"

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2012: London Olympics and Paralympics : 5 Live at 30

Golds for Simmonds, Hoy, Ennis, Jones, Peacock and Farah at London 2012.

Gordon Smart's 5 Live

There鈥檚 nothing more annoying than missing the end of Clare McDonnell鈥檚 questions when you鈥檙e going through a black spot on the TransPennine Express.
  • Describe 5 Live in 3 words : Relevant, expansive and engaging
  • What does 5 Live mean to you? : It’s the metronome in my life. I used to sleep with it on when I was at university and somehow my brain absorbed the information. 5 Live has been my companion for a long time - especially when I’m travelling. There’s nothing more annoying than missing the end of Clare McDonnell’s questions when you’re going through a black spot on the TransPennine Express.
  • What has been the stand-out moment during your time at 5 Live? : Broadcasting Liz Truss’s resignation to the nation while Hans Zimmer and Jim Kerr from Simple Minds were biffed for a big day in politics.
  • What do you love about your day-to-day role as a presenter on 5 Live? : The variety really appeals to me. I’m curious about everything and I get to interview so many interesting people. I also love the people I work with, the team behind the glass at 5 Live are a joy to work with. The on air output is a reflection of some brilliant people behind the scenes.
  • What has been the most eye-opening moment of your time at 5 Live? : When legendary world affairs editor John Simpson swore on air - after I asked him not to - on the 大象传媒’s 100th birthday in front of the Director General at 1500.
  • Who has been the most insightful guest you have interviewed on 5 Live? : Every week Professor Joe Bennett joins me from Berkelee University in Boston. He’s a musicologist and one of the most engaging, entertaining and knowledgable professionals I have had the privilege to work with. He’s also a lovely fella.
  • Tell us about a time you felt grateful to work at 5 Live : After a horrible few years with my health and career, I’m grateful every single day I walk in the door and have the honour of engaging with the listeners. It always feels special, but particularly when there is a big story we have to distill and decode together.
  • What have you learnt during your time at 5 Live? : You might not fit in if you fail to drink five cups of tea per shift. And NEVER forget the UK’s constituent parts - Scotland, England, Wales & NI are listening in equal measure so nations and regions always have equal billing.

2013: "It seems ludicrous, but a British man has won Wimbledon!"

2013: Andy Murray becomes Wimbledon champion : 5 Live at 30

Jonathan Overend commentates as Andy Murray wins Wimbledon for the first time.

2014: "It appears Scotland will remain part of the United Kingdom..."

2014: The Scottish independence referendum : 5 Live at 30

Nicky Campbell reports from Glasgow as Scotland votes 'No' to independence from the UK.

2015: "The heart has literally just been taken out, and here it is on a table in a plastic bowl..."

2015: 5 Live witnesses an extraordinary operation : 5 Live at 30

Chris Warburton was given access to one patient's life-saving heart transplant.

2016: "Make no mistake about it, we are in the middle of a massive, massive news story"

2016: Brexit referendum - the UK votes to leave the EU : 5 Live at 30

Nicky Campbell reports as the UK votes to leave the EU by 52% to 48%,

2017: "We're here... to kickstart the UK's biggest conversation about mums and mental health..."

2017: 5 Live's Mum Takeover : 5 Live at 30

Anna Foster in Blackpool hosting the biggest conversation on motherhood and mental health.

Eleanor Oldroyd's 5 Live

I never get bored! Having a mixture of news and sports presenting/reporting means that I鈥檝e got a different challenge every time I come to work
  • Describe 5 Live in 3 words : Warm, connected, unexpected.
  • What does 5 Live mean to you? : It’s been my radio home for nearly all of my career! I love the way that it’s grown and evolved but kept the same principle at its core: to be somewhere people will turn in the times of celebration (great sporting and national events) and uncertainty (e.g. the Covid pandemic) as well as for company.
  • What has been the stand-out moment during your time at 5 Live? : Working on the Olympics has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. I’ve done 8 summer (Barcelona 92-Tokyo 2020) and 4 winter Games (1994 Lillehammer, 2010 Vancouver, ‘14 Sochi, ‘18 Pyeonchang). I’ve loved every one in different ways but Sydney and London were my favourites, for the way fans embraced every single sport. Paris 2024 will be my 13th Olympics and I think it’ll have the same sense of joy.
  • What do you love about your day-to-day role as a presenter on 5 Live? : I never get bored! Having a mixture of news and sports presenting/reporting means that I’ve got a different challenge every time I come to work. I’ve had the chance in recent years to spend lots of time covering cricket - which is what I dreamt of doing as a teenager! And my colleagues, on air and off air, make me laugh even at 0430 on a Saturday morning.
  • What has been the most eye-opening moment of your time at 5 Live? : On the day Princess Diana died, I was due to be presenting 5 live sport in the afternoon. I ended up presenting the rolling news coverage on 5 Live and then jointly with Radio 4. It was astonishing to see how brilliantly all our journalists came together to try to make sense of the shocking events of that day and the days which followed.
  • Who has been the most insightful guest you have interviewed on 5 Live? : The virologist Dr Chris Smith was a regular guest on Breakfast during Covid. His calm dispassionate manner and ability to explain complex scientific issues is just brilliant.
  • Tell us about a time you felt grateful to work at 5 Live : During the pandemic we were all living through unprecedented circumstances which challenged every single person in the country (and globally too). Our listeners were so open in sharing their worries and fears. I think it really brought us closer to the audience during that time.
  • What have you learnt during your time at 5 Live? : Radio is the best!

2018: "We're friends and bloggers, and we all have one thing in common: we have cancer."

2018: The Launch of You, Me & The Big C

Rachael, Lauren and Deborah launch You, Me & The Big C

2019: "We'll be heading to Downing Street shortly where the Prime Minister will be speaking outside Number 10..."

2019: Boris Johnson becomes Prime Minister

Emma Barnett reports on a seismic moment in British politics as Boris Johnson becomes PM.

2020: "She doesn't want to go out that front door; she's scared stiff she's going to get it."

2020: The UK goes into coronavirus lockdown

Nicky Campbell reflects on a night the UK will never forget.

2021: "We have a new hero, ladies and gentlemen - don't forget that!"

2021: Beth Shriever wins Olympic gold

An emotional Dotun Adebayo reacts to Beth Shriever's BMX gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

2022: "You're a wonderful woman and you're loved - just know that"

2022: Tony Livesey won鈥檛 say goodbye to Dame Deborah James

Dame Deboarah appears in her final radio interview with her friend Tony Livesy.

2023: "Wow: hate is normalised"

2023: Teen23 - teenagers on the challenges facing them: 5 Live at 30

5 Live hosts the Teen23 summit, where teenagers discuss the challenges facing them.

2024: "The biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history, that's what people are calling it..."

2024: The Post Office Horizon scandal

Nicky Campbell reflects on a night the UK will never forget.

...and finally:

The beauty of live radio is **anything** can happen. Here are two moments we weren't expecting on air...

2009: Rage Against The Machine perform Killing In The Name...live

2009: Rage Against The Machine don't do what we told them - 5 Live at 30

US rockers perform hit song with the 'correct' lyrics, despite promising not too.

2013: A tail of an uninvited guest...

2013: Shelagh Fogarty comes face to face with mouse in studio

Shelagh Fogarty comes face to face with mouse in 5 Live studio