Chris Cary to revive Radio Nova spirit

Unperturbed by RTE's refusal to give him their 252 long-wave frequency, former Radio Nova bossman and all-round broadcasting legend Chris Cary is applying for one of the new Dublin City/County franchises that are being advertised by the BCI.

Currently residing on the Isle of Man where he's receiving specialist treatment for a stroke, Cary reveals the format they're proposing is: "Hits, favourites and comedy with the integration of a Radio Training Academy to bring on new talent. I think this may be a better direction for me. This time it should be a level playing field, as we now understand why we were never seriously in contention for the national licence. The fierce competition in Dublin will be something to be reckoned with. But a challenge is always a positive thing.

"Maybe the Radio Nova audience has grown up and matured, but maybe we can give them back what they had in the '80s. Only this time, legally."

The most listened to commercial radio station ever in Dublin, Nova and its offshoots spawned such high-profile radio people as Gareth O'Callaghan, Martin King, Tom Hardy and John Clarke.