FORMER Suffolk DJ Nick Pandolfi has hit the airwaves again - over the border in Essex.The award-winning broadcaster who left BBC Radio Suffolk suddenly in March, amid an air of mystery, is to be heard reading the news to listeners in the Frinton-On-Sea area.

FORMER Suffolk DJ Nick Pandolfi has hit the airwaves again - over the border in Essex.

The award-winning broadcaster who left BBC Radio Suffolk suddenly in March, amid an air of mystery, is to be heard reading the news to listeners in the Frinton-On-Sea area.

He is starring on Big L 1395 is an independent commercial radio station based in the town.

A spokesman for the station today revealed Nick's news reading role was a temporary position, to fill in for presenter Chris Opperman - a former Star columnist - who is on holiday.

He said: “Nick is filling in for seven days while Chris is away. He's a good man.”

The news follows speculation about why Nick left BBC Radio Suffolk. At the time the broadcaster said he was 'taking a break,' citing health reasons, and had left on good terms.

The Ipswich-based radio station declined to say if the departure of an award winning presenter and the loss of a live transmission were connected.

The 38-year-old presenter from Felixstowe last hit the headlines in September last year when he won a prestigious bronze Gillard Award - the awards are named in honour of the founder of BBC local radio Frank Gillard to recognise excellence in creative broadcasting - and he also won Radio Presenter of the Year category in 2005.

Big L1395 has several famous names, including Mike Read and David Hamilton who share a house when working.

Mike and David live in the house just outside Frinton-on-Sea, along with station founder Chris Vezey who also used to work at Radio 1 and Radio 2. Both have homes in London, but share the property to save commuting.

Mike Read is a household name after being in radio for 25 years, and was voted National Broadcaster Of The Year ten times. The former Radio 1 breakfast show host of the 80s, broke into the world of television with Top Of The Pops, Saturday Superstore and Pop Quiz. He did successful stints on Classic FM, Jazz FM and Capital Gold, and co-hosted the very last Top Of The Pops in 2006. Mike now presents Big L's morning show, and hosts the Big L Fab Forty on Saturdays.

Former Radio 1 and Radio 2 stalwart David Hamilton presents the afternoon show, and also hosts The Million Sellers programme throughout the week. He has been a broadcaster for 40 years, and has hosted over 12,000 radio programmes.