ROBBIE Dee has been entertaining audiences across Cumbria now for 20 years - whether it be on stage, screen or his much loved radio breakfast show.

The Londoner who moved to Cumbria to take over the CFM morning show 20 years ago today, has fallen in love with the county and is an instantly recognisable face - and voice - for hundreds of thousands of people who listen to his show 'Robbie Dee in the morning' religiously.

Speaking to The Cumberland News about how it all started, Robbie said: "It doesn't feel like 20 years- it's incredible. I has just flashed by in many ways.

"I remember my very first day at CFM, I remember it like it was yesterday - sitting there all sort of nervous, but here we are 20 years later and it's just so lovely."

Robbie moved to Cumbria, after being head-hunted from a radio station in London - since the move 20 years ago he and his wife Karen have fallen in love with the county, with children Oliver, 13 and Sophie, 11 both being born in Carlisle.

The father of two says after 20 years in the county he and his family would 'never go anywhere else'.

Robbie said: "Karen and I we have got lifelong friends that we have made here and we would never go and live anywhere else.

"My only regret is that I didn't find Cumbria sooner.

"I love Cumbria, you know I live and breathe this place - I love the people, I love sincerity of the Cumbrian folk, I love the humour here which is one of the reasons I believe I have had such success is because of my daft sense of humour, which I think is very much like the humour here, it was just meant to be."

When asked about his best times the presenter said they are perhaps 'too numerous' to mention, he said: “Just the laughs, the fun and all the things that we have gotten up to over the last 20 years, I have always said that I obviously host the show, but the radio show has always been about the people of our area.

“It’s all about bringing together people from across Cumbria and having a laugh, especially with life being as it is at the moment, so much doom and gloom, conflicts around the world so I’m that bit of light relief in people’s lives.”

Robbie said that his work with Cash for Kids, that has raised hundreds of thousands over the years has been an extremely rewarding part of the job.

He said: “It’s a lovely part of the job and a lovely thing to be able to, it’s a real highlight give back and raise loads of money for kids who are very underprivileged in our area.”

Robbie attributes his success to the 'amazing people' who have supported him over the past 20 years  whether it be on stage screen or tv.

He said: “I’d just like to say thank you - it’s no good for me being on the radio, being on the TV, or being on the Sand’s stage if there is nobody listening or watching, it’s the first sign of madness talking to yourself.

READ MORE: Local radio host Robbie Dee prepares for 20th Carlisle panto

“I would just say thank you - for all the laughs, for all the conversations and thank you for letting me be part of your life every day.”

This year will also be Robbie's 20th year in the Sand's Centre Panto and will be a 'very proud dad' to perform alongside daughter Sophie in this year's production of Aladdin.

And it definitely far from over; finishing off the interview Robbie teased at some exciting plans for the future.

Hes said: "I'm, really looking forard to next year. Let's just say 2023 is going to be a very exciting year for Robbie Dee."

READ MORE: VIDEO: CFM's Robbie Dee as you've never seen him before