the Pops between January 1983 and August 1988, and was the first woman to become a regular host. She often presented it in partnership with John Peel (after the departure of David Jensen), with whom she struck up a solid friendship. Long returned to co-present the final show in July 2006. In 2021, Long was among a number of ex-Radio 1 DJs who were hired by Viacom International Studios to countdown the Official Charts Company's retro hits of the year on Channel 5's Britain's Favourite Songs, with Long first being heard on the 1982 episode which also featured Toyah Willcox, Paul Gambaccini and Clare Grogan. BBC Radio London, Radio 5 and XFM In 1989, she joined London station BBC Radio London (then known as Greater London Radio), taking over from Nick Abbot on the breakfast show. At the time GLR was being run by future BBC Radio 1 controller Matthew Bannister and future Radio 1 executive Trevor Dann. Long left the breakfast show but continued to work for the station, where she took over a weekend show. In addition to this, she was heard presenting and producing occasional shows on the old BBC Radio 5. Long became involved with XFM in London when it had a Restricted Service Licence (RSL), and played a crucial part in its bid for a permanent licence. Crash FM In 1995, Long moved back up to Liverpool, where she set up a radio station called Crash FM with Bernie Connor. The idea for an alternative music radio station in Liverpool was thought up by Long and Connor in 1994, with the pair having the idea that the station could be the city's answer to XFM. The station was launched on a Restricted Service Licence (RSL) broadcasting for a month from 5 November 1995 at Mabel Fletcher College on Greenbank, and with presenters such as Inspiral Carpets member Clint Boon getting their first radio presenting jobs. Over the next few years, the station received support from Bob Geldof, Boy George and Primal Scream amongst others, and successfully bid for a permanent licence on 107.6FM. BBC Radio 2 In 1999, Long started appearing on BBC Radio 2, presenting a Saturday afternoon show from 3 pm to 6 pm. In April 2000, she began as a weekday presenter, hosting the show originally from Birmingham and then (from April 2008) from BBC Radio 2 studios in London. Long promoted