THE man known to many of his listeners as ‘Mr Wire FM’ has announced he is leaving the radio station after 14 years.

Drive time host Pete Pinnington has been at the station since it began in 1998 but has decided after more than a decade it is time to focus on his successful event management company.

The dad-of-two said he has many happy memories, from interviewing Elton John to sitting in a bath full of baked beans half naked, but will most miss his listeners.

He added: “Over the past 10 years I have been building my company Pete Pinnington Presents and I’m at the point now where I can’t run it alongside my radio show.

“A lot of listeners have been ringing in and saying they can’t believe it and wish me the best.

“Wire FM is my baby so I’m going to miss it a lot.

“Things happen and you think ‘I’ll mention that on the show’ so it will be really strange not having that opportunity.”

It has meant a lucky escape for his two boys Jake, aged four, and Lucas, aged one, who Pete says will now avoid being embarrassed on the radio when they start school.

Originally from Crosby, the trustee and patron of five charities in the town said he now sees Warrington as home and his highlights include abseiling down Warrington Collegiate, a parachute jump for charity and outside broadcasts for pub of the week.

The Whittle Hall man’s last show is tomorrow, Friday, when he says there will be some final goodbyes and memories from the past 14 years.

He added: “Thanks to all the listeners who have grown up with me and enjoyed listening to the show. Hopefully I’ve put plenty of smiles on faces and I’m still going to be very much part of the area.”