It’s the end of a glittering era: Radio 3’s legendary, record-setting presenter Ray Cordeiro has decided to retire after a broadcasting career spanning more than 70 years.  
For the much-loved Uncle Ray, who’s now 96, the time to hang up his headphones is approaching:
“It is always hard to say goodbye to friends. I have put off this moment for as long possible, but the situation created by the pandemic has now made it unavoidable”, says Ray, in his retirement statement. 
For the world of entertainment, Ray’s legions of devoted listeners, and his long-time colleagues at RTHK, it’s momentous news, inevitably tinged with sorrow. 
“As a disc jockey, I have a very strong bond with my listeners and have long been unwilling to say goodbye to them,” Ray says. “As much as I want to go on spinning my discs forever, I realise now I cannot.”
Ray has been taking a break from his late-night live programme since last December, amid the social distancing environment. But he’ll be back on air for one final week, starting on Monday, May 10, with his last show on Friday, May 14.   
Born in Hong Kong in 1924, Uncle Ray has devoted his life to the development of radio broadcasting and the local music scene. He hosted his first show “Progressive Jazz” at the former radio station, Rediffusion, in 1949.  Ray joined RTHK in 1960 as Head of Light Music. “All The Way with Ray” has been running every weekday night since 1970. 
As well as helping to nurture local talent, including Joe Junior, Teddy Robin and the Playboys, Sam Hui  and many others, he has also interviewed famous international acts including The Beatles, Cliff Richard and Tony Bennett, and Hong Kong’s own music celebrities. 
For his contributions to the broadcasting industry, Uncle Ray was awarded with an MBE in 1987, the RTHK Life Time Achievement in Broadcasting Award in 1997, the HKSAR’s Bronze Bauhinia Star in 2008, and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2012.  He was recognised by Guinness World Records in 2000 as the World’s Most Durable Radio DJ.  
Ray said:  “Making the choice to retire will leave a great void in my life. But the memories will never fade, and the dreams will never end. I sincerely thank RTHK, and my listeners, fans and friends for the enduring support you have given me and my show.” 

Radio 3 – New line-up

With the forthcoming retirement of Uncle Ray Cordeiro, Radio 3 will have a new evening line-up of programmes, starting from May 17. Long-standing presenter Peter King will move from his mid-evening show to the late-night hours with Pete’s Magical Mystery Tour. The style of music will be similar to that already enjoyed by listeners, with hits from the sixties and seventies in the first hour, followed by more of a nostalgia feel as midnight approaches, and golden oldies in the final hour’s sentimental journey.  (Mon – Fri 10pm – 1am)

From 7pm to 9pm every weekday evening you can listen in to another of Radio 3’s long-established DJs, Simon Willson. Simon will also continue to host his live show on Sunday afternoons, which will now be known as Simon’s Sunday Session. (Mon – Fri, 7pm -- 9pm; Sundays, 1.10pm – 4pm)  

In another change, James Ross will be presenting a new early evening show on Saturdays  -- James Ross: Greatest Hits of Music, packed with top tunes from the past five decades, which replaces Soul Sensations. (Saturdays 6.10pm – 8pm) 

The Hong Kong International Young Readers Festival 2021 runs from April 19 to 30. Local and global writers will take part in this annual literary event by visiting schools and delivering talks to young readers. Radio 3 is proud to be a media partner of the festival once again, and we look forward to talking to the authors about their works and writing styles. Don't miss it!

Radio 3's English Poetry Competition is back! After another successful year, we're doing it again. The theme this year is "White", which could involve weddings, funerals, the concept of purity, snow in the mountains: whatever you want to make of it.

If you're feeling creative, then send us your poem of 400 words or less to poetry@rthk.hk. 
You can submit more than one entry and even have your winning piece read on air.

The deadline is July 12, 2021.