Dear Feedback team, I would like to comment about the savage cuts to BBC local radio, which appear to be being dressed up as an ”improvement to local services” by BBC management.As a former BBC Radio Humberside presenter of 25 years (I left four years ago well before this horror show started), I wouldn’t argue … Continue reading My letter to Feedback regarding the cuts to BBC local radio →

I worked for BBC local radio mainly in Hull, with short spells in York and Leeds, for 25 years as a senior presenter, producer, Assistant Editor and tea boy. When I started, at the age of 24, I fully intended to work there for a couple of years until BBC Radio 2 came calling and … Continue reading Keep BBC local radio LOCAL →

Every year we come to an amazing place called Portpatrick. This year there are 20 of us across three houses. It’s relaxing, invigorating and my favourite week of the year.

I hope you had a great Christmas and a good start to 2022. Despite family and friends catching Covid we managed to all get together for a good break. We mostly ate too much and watched lots of TV. I was also pleased to be asked to cover for Covid illness at BBC Radio Humberside. … Continue reading Grey January – missing panto →

I have no answers to this particular problem, but at a recent trip to the theatre I notice that the audience is made up entirely of older people, those who can afford £35-£55 a ticket, despite it being a modern show aimed at a younger audience. In recent years the production of shows like Dear … Continue reading How are young people supposed to afford a night out at the theatre? →

We've learned a lot during lockdown. I reckon as I read this back in years to come it will seem unreal that everything is closed, we are all told to stay at home, and the streets are empty. But they are, and I vow to never take the simple things for granted again. One of … Continue reading You can’t beat live entertainment →

I was sad to hear of the passing of a true gentleman today. I was honoured to call Roland Watson a friend. Roland was chief electrician at The Tivoli Theatre in Hull back in the day and never lost his love of technical theatre. To celebrate all of Roland's many achievements would take most of … Continue reading Goodbye to a kind soul →

From the end of next month I'm delighted to be taking over as chief executive of Hull's Northern Academy of Performing Arts. NAPA is a place I've been very close to for years. I was the charity's first chairman a million years ago and the Northern Theatre School (as it was originally known) was my … Continue reading Leaving the BBC →

I've been an avid reader of blogs for years. (In a future post I'll list my top reads). Somehow I prefer the written word to video blogs or podcasts. There's something about the power of words and taking them in at your own pace that I love. So, I decided to start my own. If … Continue reading Welcome to the blog →