BBC Radio: Host Invites Lonely Man To Studio

This is the heartbreaking moment a 95-year-old man rang a radio DJ for comfort after becoming lonely when his wife went into a nursing home – only to be inundated with offers of support from thousands of listeners, reports the Daily Mail.

Bill Palmer, from Southampton, Hampshire, called the Alex Dyke show on BBC Radio Solent during a show about loneliness and described how 'every day is hell' being on his own.

He was overcome with emotion as he told how his wife, Sheila, 85, who has dementia, had fallen and had been taken to hospital before being permanently moved to a nursing home.

Mr Palmer, who married his wife last year after they had been friends for 30 years, said he visited his wife every day but added: 'Every day is hell. I feel so alone.'

He also added how even speaking to Dyke had made him feel better, before the host arranged for a taxi to bring the pensioner into the studio for a chat.

Mr Palmer told him: 'Alex just talking to you has made a difference. I've been lying on bed since last night and I got your number and I thought I would give Alex a ring and have a chat with him.'

The pensioner's call has now been viewed 41,000 times on the station's Facebook page and he has been inundated with offers by listeners ranging from Sunday lunch to a private concert by a ukulele orchestra.

Mr Palmer said: 'I can't believe it. I just sit and listen to the radio and watch TV and have lots of friends, but unfortunately when you get old people don't visit - that's life.'