Radiohead's O'Brien 'appeals 6 Music axe'

Ed O'Brien has written an open letter to the BBC Trust in a bid to save threatened digital radio station BBC 6 Music.

BBC director general Mark Thompson confirmed plans to scrap the station as part of a wider overhaul of the corporation earlier this week.

Posting on Radiohead's official blog, the guitarist referred to Thompson as "Herr Director General" in a message to fans that included an e-mail he had sent to the BBC Trust, which is currently engaged in public consultation over whether 6 Music should face closure.

O'Brien's e-mail read: "I wonder if those who made this decision are actually aware of the hugely important role that 6 Music plays in fostering and promoting new bands, as well as still playing the likes of the band that I am in. It literally is the radio lifeblood for music outside of the mainstream."

He added: "Please realise the impact and severity of closing this station down. It will be a huge blow for new bands and their labels. It's not enough to 'refocus' Radio's 1 and 2 as 6 Music does a very specific thing. What you have with 6 Music is a gem of a radio station, it is doing what no other station in the world does or can possibly do.

"Remember it is also still relatively young, give it time. You also finally have a fantastic and seemingly settled line up of DJs. Please get behind it and from what I can gather about its annual budget of £6m, it surely punches way above its weight in terms of cultural relevance and importance."

O'Brien joins the growing ranks who have publicly criticised the plans to close 6 Music, including David Bowie, Lily Allen and Glastonbury Festival.

> Trust: 'Protests could save BBC 6 Music'