THAT'S LIFE!
I've been a broadcaster since 1982 when I got my first big break, presenting That's Life! on BBC1with Esther Rantzen. Until then, I'd been a print journalist in the West Midlands. I didn't mind swapping the industrial tribunals and magistrates' courts of Sandwell for the broken washing machines and phallic parsnips of Shepherds Bush a bit!
BREAKFAST TIME
I stayed with the show for three years, during which time, I was also in at the birth of breakfast television. I was a regional presenter, reporter and topical songwriter-and-performer for BBC Breakfast Time (the one with Frank and Selina on the sofa). Writing a witty, three-minute song overnight then singing it to a sleepy nation at 6.45 and 8.45am was quite an experience.
THE HOLIDAY PROGRAMME
I spent six years travelling the world as a reporter for the Beeb's Holiday Programme. Years later, this held me in good stead with I returned to travel journalism as a reporter on Radio 4's 'Breakaway'.
RADIO PRESENTATION
Whilst on the Holiday Programme, I finally started doing what I'd meant to do since I was a little boy: regular radio presenting. My first station was BBC Radio Solent, based in Southampton, where I presented and produced the lunchtime show. Then came spells with South Coast Radio, Newstalk 1152 (what LBC was calling its AM service at the time), BBC Radio Berkshire, the Lite AM in Manchester, nine years at BBC Southern Counties Radio and London talk station, LBC 97.3.
I've also appeared on Ken Bruce's show on BBC Radio 2 as a celebrity contestant in his Popmaster quiz. I thrashed the charming lead singer of Del Maitri, Justin Curren, 30 points to 9 - but it's the taking part that counts!
Currently I present the mid-morning programme on BBC Radio Berkshire, 10:00-14:00, Thursdays to Sundays. The programme is a mixture of music together with local news, information, advice and stories to make you smile.
You can Download a profile of me in the South London Press.
TV PRESENTATION
Other telly over the years has included all kinds of regional programmes for Meridian during my years on the south coast - everything from consumer affairs via politics to amateur filmmaking - plus appearances on shows as diverse as Blankety Blank (Les Dawson referred to me as 'ballast' - undoubtedly a career highspot), Songs of Praise (on which I sang David Essex's hit, A Winter's Tale, backed by a huge orchestra and choir), Children in Need and Call My Bluff (a 'chattee' is someone having a conversation in which the other party - the 'chatter' - is doing most of the talking. Isn't it funny the things you remember?).
BBC TV's Inside Out West Midlands asked me to investigate problems in the buy-to-let property market in provincial city centres. I was pareticularly proud of the show which received a national airing on BBC1. I was also asked for a report on the resurgence of traditional and cheap Black Country foods. There's a clip of both programmes on my Showreel page.
CHANNEL 5 CONTINUITY
One of the most interesting and longest-lasting TV jobs I had was weeknights' continuity announcer for Channel 5 Television. Our brief was to be unlike any other announcers; witty, opinionated and informal (whilst still clearly signposting the viewer through the schedule, of course). Listen to continuity on other channels these days, and you'll hear how much we loosened the industry up! I had five happy years at Five, and was first heard on its second night.
FOOD JOURNALISM, MUSIC AND THEATRE BIOGRAPHY >>
CURRENTLY:
I present the mid-morning programme on BBC Radio Berkshire, 10:00-14:00, Thursdays to Sundays.
The programme is a mixture of music together with local news, information, advice and stories to make you smile.
I enjoy writing about food and of course eating it too! I'm a regular judge of The Great Taste Awards and also The Academy of Chocolate Awards.