Obviously I'm biased, but I grew up listening to this station and its presenters:
https://metroradio261.blogspot.com/p/memories-of-metro-radio.html
Growing up with stars (some local, some national) like Giles Squire, James Whale (yes, him) Charles Harrison's dulcet tones commentating on football, Paddy MacDee, Laurie Giles, Nicky Brown, Steve Colman's breakfast show and latterly Tony Horne and of course, Night Owls with Alan Robson 'hello Alan, I'm a first time caller and I'm a bit nervous'
Once I left the North East in 1989 and returned in 1992, it had changed.
From then on, I only listened to it for the coverage of Newcastle United away games (pre internet, pre illegal streaming), then they stopped and commentary moved over to BBC Radio Newcastle.
Since then, which I believe was 1996, I think I've listened to about 3 minutes of Metro Radio
Now it's also part of Bauer and plays only around 5% local content so I'm told.
Unfortunately, my now favourite radio station (Planet Rock) is also a Bauer station. I only get to listen to about an hour a week of them these days, I just don't have time for radio any more and I guess others feel the same