Meet the 102-year-old care home resident that wants to replace Capital FM’s Roman Kemp

As Roman Kemp announces he’s stepping down from the Capital FM Breakfast Show, and with rumours swirling about Jordan North’s next venture, an unlikely source has come to put the record straight on who should take over. 

Former radio DJ, 102-year-old Margaret Leigh Morgan, who lives at Care UK’s Pear Tree Court care home in Horndean, has announced she’d like to be considered to take over the prestigious role as host of Capital Breakfast.

Although on the face of it an unlikely candidate, the great-grandmother of five became a radio DJ at the age of 92 – noted as the oldest radio DJ in the UK – and presented the ‘Nonsense at Noon’ slot on Angel Radio for five years.

Despite hanging up her headphones in 2017, Margaret has now announced she is willing to come out of retirement to seize a new opportunity – host of the Capital FM Breakfast Show. 

In a bid to help her prepare, the team at Pear Tree Court recently organised for Margaret to return the Angel Radio studios in celebration of World Radio Day, to brush up on her technical skills. 

Margaret met presenter, Tony Gilliam, took a tour of the studios, and reminisced on her fond days behind the microphone. 

Margaret said: “I really enjoyed reminiscing with Tony as it brought back lovely memories of times filled with laughter and happiness at Angel Radio – I also thought I’d give Roman a good run for his money!”

Aimee Sparks, Home Manager at Pear Tree Court, added: “Margaret loves chatting about her fond memories as the UK’s oldest radio DJ, and is proof that you’re never too old to try something new.

“Here at Pear Tree Court, we’re always looking for new and exciting ways to enable residents to maintain their hobbies and lead fulfilling lives. We had a wonderful time at Angel Radio, and it was clear to see how much happiness and joy being back behind the microphone brought to Margaret. Although she officially retired as a DJ at 97, the trip certainly inspired her to think about putting her headphones on again, and with news of Roman’s departure as the host of Capital Breakfast, we think she’d make the perfect replacement. Watch this space!”

Margaret was born in Chesterfield in 1921 and was one of eight siblings. She lived there until the age of eight, before moving to Birmingham. Margaret began work in the wages department of a factory, before becoming an accountant, and later trained as a nurse. She has two children, three stepchildren, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.  

Margaret was always a radio fan and enjoyed listening to Angel Radio while on her exercise bike at home. When Margaret saw a job advert for someone to man the phones at the station, she jumped at the chance, and did this for a year before bosses saw her potential as a presenter. Initially unsure and lacking in confidence, at 92, Margaret presented her first slot on the show – and the rest is history.

Pear Tree Court is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.