David Hamilton's Long and Winding Road

A Journey through Seven Decades of Radio and Tv David Hamilton’s ‘Long and Winding Road’ has taken him from the remote farm in Sussex where he grew up, dreaming of the bright lights, to working all over the UK and in America in a broadcasting career that has lasted for seven decades, eventually bringing him back after over fifty years to the same farm where he started, from which he would broadcast on national radio in his mid-eighties. This road took David to Germany where, during his National Service in the RAF, he became one of the first DJs to play rock ’n’ roll. Four years later, he did one of the first TV interviews with a new group called The Beatles. Since then he has presented thousands of radio shows and on television has hosted Top of the Pops, beauty contests, sports and game shows and appeared alongside top comedians. In this amazingly frank memoir, David tells what it was like working with such comedy greats as Ken Dodd, Benny Hill and Tommy Cooper; of the two serious car crashes he had in his twenties; of how he rode in a speedway race at Wembley Stadium; about his time as a football club director and how he played in the England team that won the World Cup in 1966. David writes of the beautiful women he has loved. His life, his loves, his laughs. It’s all here, from one of Britain’s most enduring broadcasters.

David Hamilton is a distinguished English radio and television presenter, renowned for his extensive career spanning over six decades. Born on September 10, 1938, in Manchester, England, he is affectionately known as 'Diddy David Hamilton', a moniker bestowed upon him by the legendary comedian Ken Dodd.

Hamilton's broadcasting journey commenced in 1959, and since then, he has hosted an impressive tally of over 12,000 radio shows and more than 1,000 television shows.
After completing his national service in the Royal Air Force, Hamilton's career took off as he became a script-writer for the TV series "Portrait of a Star". His television career flourished with roles as an in-vision announcer for ABC Weekend TV and appearances alongside Ken Dodd in "Doddy's Music Box". Throughout the 1960s, he hosted shows for various ITV franchises and later for Thames Television, presenting a variety of programs ranging from awards shows to game shows.
In radio, Hamilton made his mark with the British Forces Network in Cologne, Germany, during his national service. His first UK broadcast was "The Beat Show" from the Playhouse Theatre, Manchester, in 1962. He became a familiar voice on BBC Radio, presenting shows like "Music Through Midnight", "Roundabout", and "Pop Inn". In the 1970s, he was offered his own daily show on Radio 1, which eventually was simultaneously broadcast on Radio 2, garnering the largest British audience of the day.

Customer Reviews

5.0

28 reviews

Patricia Dodge

Good autobiography. Was a nice read would definitely recommend it
Aja007

A great read. David's autobiography will not only bring a smile to your face but a tear to your eye. Most of the press coverage has focused on the titillating stories but it tells his story from his childhood in WWII when he was evacuated to his grandfather's farmhouse (which David bought many years later and now lives) through his years in broadcasting, with anecdotes about his life and loves. I highly recommend the book as it's a great read.
Tony Fitzpatrick

Two wives, many lovers, and an affair with a prostitute called Mel Beloved broadcaster David Hamilton – one of the great voices of BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2, and a successful TV presenter for Thames TV and others – has a very amiable reputation. However, perhaps we will think a little differently about him after his autobiography, David Hamilton's Long And Winding Road, is published next week as it reveals the jaw-dropping, untold inside story of his life… as a ladies' man. Hamilton, twice married, tells of a love affair with a prostitute, casual bunk-ups with housewives on the road and the dope-fuelled dressing-room sex which shocked This Is Your Life star Eamonn Andrews who walked in on it. In his book, Hamilton talks fondly about his first wife Sheila, and his regrets about cheating on her with a co-presenter, Roz Early, which led to their separation in 1970. After he and Roz broke up, he had a high-profile love affair with judge's daughter, Kathy McKinnon, but was then single from 1977 until he met his second – and current – wife Dreena, in 1983. It was during this period that Hamilton says he fell in love with a prostitute named Mel. He recalls being at Mayfair nightclub The Bristol Suite in around 1983 at the invitation of the owner, Leslie Conn.
Multi Player

Great story from one of the best DJs ever. Good story. Just like him. Worth a read.
Swanny

Brilliant read penned by an amazing man. Highly recommended
Tincan

Book Haven’t read it yet but other have said how good it was
Amazon Customer

Great book. The life of David Hamilton by David, fantastic story
Anon

Great read. Good insight into his life.