Manchester legend and Inspiral Carpets musician Clint Boon announces end to 28-year radio career

Manc legend, DJ Clint Boon has announced that he is leaving XS Manchester, ending his 28-year radio career.  

The former Inspiral Carpets musician broke the news to his listeners during his show on Monday 27 November and followed it with a heartfelt post on social media. 

In the post, titled ‘Why I’m stepping away from t’radio, ’he thanked his fans and colleagues for their support over the years, and made some hints about future projects he has in the pipeline. 

He said: “My work in the world of radio has given me a sense of stability and security which I’ve never experienced in any other aspect of my career. Being in a band, being a club DJ… the consistency isn’t always there. Living on the edge (financially) is the norm. Radio gave me something solid to focus on in the centre of all the other crazy stuff.”

He added: “I’ve made some great friends during my time in radio. Too many to mention here. Not just people I’ve worked alongside, but listeners too. Some of the greatest human beings I know. I’ve also got to meet a lot of my heroes along the way.

“Plus, I’ve been able to help many new bands and artists get on that ladder which all us musicians dream of getting to the top of. That bit has been particularly special. 

Oldham-born Clint Boon began in radio after Inspiral Carpets split in 1995. He worked at several stations in Liverpool and Manchester, including Radio X and BBC Radio Manchester. For the last seven years, he has presented his own show at XS. 

What’s next for Clint Boon?

The 64-year-old veteran DJ ended his farewell post with a suggestion that he may come back to radio “at some point in the future,” but in the meantime, it looks as though the Boon Army have a lot to look forward to – starting with the Inspiral Carpets reunion. 

The 90s band reformed earlier this year for a UK tour, and in  his retirement post Clint Boom said that the reunion is “obviously a big thing for me now,” adding that more Inspiral Carpets gigs are in the works, as well as new material. 

He also said that he will be spending more on ‘Mrs Boon’s Tea Parties, a music event run by his wife Charlie, and he will be setting up Boon Army Events, “putting on events around Manchester and beyond,” according to the post.

Elsewhere, he is working on a ‘Bickershaw’ movie project, which he hopes will get the green light in 2024, and hopes to “get back into podcasting too.”