Back to his roots: Rick Astley pops into new radio station (From St Helens Star)

Back to his roots: Rick Astley pops into new WA12 radio station based in Newton-le-Willows

5:43pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News By Stephen Mather, Senior reporter

AN 80s singing superstar and Newton’s most famous export made a return to his home patch to lend his support to a new radio station.

At the height of his fame, Rick Astley, who grew up in Park Road, Newton-le-Willows, was a global superstar and dominated the Top 40 in the UK.

His sister Jayne Marsh presents two shows on WA12 Radio, based in Newton-le-Willows.

One of the station’s presenters, Phil Knight said: “They walked into the studio to the surprise and amazement of myself and two other people who were live on air at the time.

“It was also a shock for our new presenter Kev, who was waiting to do his first evershow.

“On Sunday morning our regular presenter messaged to say he wasn’t well. I was in the studio to train a new presenter when Rick and Jayne arrived again and asked if they could fill in for our ill presenter.

“So they went live on air and it was great fun.

“There were plenty of messages sent in asking Rick about his past in Newton, which he laughed about and answered them all.

“He has agreed to come back in the summer and present another show, so he will have more time to prepare.

“It was great of him to come and show his support for the station.”

The figures for Rick’s career are staggering, with eight consecutive number ones and record sales said to have topped 19 million.

Rick’s career blasted off in 1987 at the age of 21 with the single Never Gonna Give You Up, which launched his remarkable string of chart successes.

His rich voice entertained a generation of Stock Aitken Waterman pop fans and cracked the international market.

However he shunned the UK limelight in 1993, and it was nearly a decade later before he made a successful musical return.

The WA12 station was set up following a bid for £10,000 worth of lottery funding.

Broadcast 24 hours a day you can listen online via wa12radio.co.uk and via the TuneIn app.

Phil said the radio station was always on the look-out for new presenters, and anyone wishing to get involved can message them through their website.