BBC Radio Manchester presenter Mike Sweeney has been named as one of Salford’s 100 Heroes in a live on-air surprise.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett disrupted Sweeney’s morning broadcast to deliver the news directly to the veteran broadcaster. The honour recognises Sweeney’s long-standing dedication to his local roots and his deep connection to the local community.
The accolade forms a core part of the wider Salford 100 celebrations, a major centenary initiative involving writers from Salford Now, speaking to or profiling 100 notable Salford people from politics, entertainment and civic life.
The list includes ordinary community champions alongside globally recognised figures from the city’s rich cultural history, such as the punk poet John Cooper Clarke and actor Albert Finney.
The overarching project marks exactly one century since King George V granted Salford official city status via Royal Charter on 21 April 1926.
Sweeney, who previously worked as a docker at the Salford docks before starting his career in radio, reacted with total disbelief: “It’s very rare that I’m left speechless .. The Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett joined me in the studio this morning to tell me about The ‘Salford 100 Project’ .. 100 individuals who are special in the history of Salford.
“I’m so incredibly honoured to find out that I’m one of them!!!! It genuinely didn’t register at first .. I thought wow just 100 people in the history of the city and then suddenly I thought .. THATS ME!!!!”
The centenary has included civic exhibitions like City of Making and community events where hundreds of residents formed a giant human 100. The council continues to encourage residents to nominate modern local heroes by contacting the project team.
