A lonely, elderly gentleman's phone call to a radio station turned him into a star, and put a youthful smile on his face.

Bill Palmer called into BBC Radio Solent in Southhampton, UK because he just wanted someone to talk to. The 95-year-old man's wife had to go into a nursing home recently, and he had no one at home to keep him company.

Radio host Alex Dyke suggested they talk in person, and sent a taxi to Palmer's house to pick him up and bring him to the studio.

When Palmer shared his story with listeners (listen to the full segment here), the phones lines "lit up" — as they say in the radio biz — and the gentleman had plenty of new friends wanting to talk to him.

The video clip below was posted on the station's Facebook page and earned many positive comments.

"Well done, Alex," Pamela Kynes posted. "What a truly heartwarming wonderful thing to do."

"That brought a tear to my eye," Tracy Riggs commented.

Bill Palmer called into BBC Radio Solent in Southhampton, UK because he just wanted someone to talk to. The 95-year-old man's wife had to go into a nursing home recently, and he had no one at home to keep him company.

Radio host Alex Dyke suggested they talk in person, and sent a taxi to Palmer's house to pick him up and bring him to the studio.

When Palmer shared his story with listeners (listen to the full segment here), the phones lines "lit up" — as they say in the radio biz — and the gentleman had plenty of new friends wanting to talk to him.

The video clip below was posted on the station's Facebook page and earned many positive comments.

"Well done, Alex," Pamela Kynes posted. "What a truly heartwarming wonderful thing to do."

"That brought a tear to my eye," Tracy Riggs commented.

One caller offered to round up a ukulele band to play music for Palmer and several asked the station to give him a weekly slot on the air.

Palmer was overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness, and while listeners couldn't see the smile on his face in the studio, they sure heard it in his voice on the air.

(WATCH the BBC RadioSolent video below) — Photo: BBC Radio Solent, Facebook

Bill phoned BBC Radio Solent. He was upset, lonely and missing his wife.Alex decided to invite him in.We sent a cab to pick him up, have a listen to what happened next.

Posted by BBC Radio Solent on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Bill phoned BBC Radio Solent. He was upset, lonely and missing his wife.Alex decided to invite him in.We sent a cab to pick him up, have a listen to what happened next.