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BBC Radio WM surprises listener on 99th birthday

Rachael Lewis & Brett Birks
BBC WM
Ms Taylor, who lives in Chelmsley Wood, has been described by her family as "an amazing person who rarely complains"

BBC Radio WM has surprised an avid listener on her 99th birthday.

June Taylor was overcome with emotion as she was handed a cake and realised WM presenter and producer Brett Birks was in her living room.

Mrs Taylor, who lives in Chelmsley Wood, has been described by her family as "an amazing person who rarely complains," despite having extremely poor eyesight and struggling to walk.

"You and Trish make my day, you really do" said Mrs Taylor, who listens to the station's drivetime programme, presented by Trish Adudu, every afternoon.

Mrs Taylor stands centre smiling at the camera, wearing a patterned cream, brown and grey woollen cardigan and glasses. A woman stands to her right wearing a flowery and striped shirt. Brett stands to her left with his arm around her shoulder and a purple microphone with BBC Radio WM written on it in his left hand. There are green and yellow balloons, a floor lamp and a few pictures on the wall behind them.
June Taylor was overcome with emotion as she was handed a cake and realised presenter and producer Brett Birks was in her living room.

Mrs Taylor's daughter, Maureen Hill, organised the surprise: "I knew if I could get you here today, it would make our mother's birthday."

"I'm so proud of her, we all are," Ms Hill added.

Mrs Taylor was born on 25th February, 1926, and was the eighth of eleven children.

Nearly a century later, she has three children of her own and eight grandchildren.

Her son, Michael Taylor, had flown in from Madrid for the occasion. He said: "I speak to my mum four times a week for an hour at a time, and after half an hour she's finished talking about Brett.

"I'm so emotional, we've had tears all morning and this is the icing on the cake."

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