It adopts an easy listening format with music ranging from softer contemporary pop from artists such as The Carpenters to light classical music. Despite being unpopular with employed staff, who thought it very un-hip, and politicians who would question the need for a local radio station to sound like the two music-based BBC national networks, the relaunch led to improved audience figures and a string of awards and accolades. Tony Blackburn joins the station to present the afternoon programme. 1982 No events. 1983 Robbie Vincent leaves. He had been at the station since its launch. 1984 The station is relaunched with the tagline The Heart and Soul of London, with more soul music being played during the day. Changes include Tony Blackburn taking over the mid-morning show, as Blackburn rejoins following his departure from BBC Radio 1. 1985 London Sounds Eastern ends after nine years on air. 1986 No events. 1987 No events. 1988 Tony Blackburn is dismissed. 7 October – At 7pm, Radio London stops broadcasting after 18 years on air. Greater London Radio 1988 7 October – Test transmissions for Greater London Radio (GLR) begin. 25 October – At 6am, BBC GLR launches. Put together by new Managing Editor Matthew Bannister and Programme Director Trevor Dann, the station is aimed at 25- to 45-year-olds and is on air daily from 6.30am until midnight. Early promotions use the phrase "rock 'n' rolling news" with a music mix best described as Adult album alternative and travel news every 20 minutes. The new weekday line-up consisted of Nick Abbot at breakfast, Emma Freud presenting the mid-morning show, Johnnie Walker at lunchtime, Tommy Vance hosting Drivetime and Dave Pearce hosting an evening club music show. A number of specialist speech programmes launch, many of them broadcasting as a MW opt-out. They are aimed at London's communities: Asian, Afro-Caribbean, Jewish, Gay and Irish. Black London was presented by The Ranking Miss P and Lavender Lounge, the programme for the gay community, was presented by comedian Amy Lamé. 1989 January – Danny Baker joins the station as presenter of the weekend breakfast show. Janice Long joins the station to present the breakfast show, hosting the programme until 1991. She replaces Nick Abbot. GLR sets up a youth-based radio training facility at Vauxhall College, SW8, which was followed by a second course based at White City. Vanessa Feltz joins. 1990 Chris Evans makes his on-air