Tributes paid to Merseyside’s Wally Scott who has died

Former Radio Merseyside presenter and producer Wally Scott has died following a long illness.

Probably best known for co-hosting the radio quiz Hold Your Plums with Billy Butler, Wally spent over 40 years working in radio and TV.

Sharing the news on social media, Billy Butler said: “It is with deep regret and much sadness that I have to announce the passing of my close friend and colleague Wally Scott who passed away peacefully yesterday morning after a very long illness.

“Wally was my friend and work mate for over 40 years on radio and TV – he had careers in journalism with one of Liverpool’s biggest news agencies.  He also worked on Radio City, Radio Merseyside, Magic FM, Dune and briefly on Liverpool live with me.”

Acknowledging Wally’s huge influence on him and his career, Billy said that he was an inspiration to work with and they never had a cross word.

He added: “We had the best chemistry together, always laughing. And as  well as our radio shows we did over 60 Billy and Wally TV shows together and 58 sold out Pontins shows as well as many theatre shows at the Empire Floral Pavilion Philharmonic and not forgetting our pantomimes together where Wally would live in fear of my antics!

“I am so grateful for having met him and having him in my life and I will miss him so dearly, sleep well Wally condolences to his lifelong partner Val.”

Many of Wally’s other friends and former colleagues paid tribute to him including BBC Radio Merseyside’s Tony Snell who said he was a master of his craft and a generous man who cared deeply about his radio listeners.

Former BBC Radio Merseyside station editor Mick Ord described Wally as a “really gifted radio producer who genuinely cared about the audience and keeping them entertained and informed”.