Mike
Parr may have been a lumberjack, but he's OK now!
He used to love sausages, but a recent BBC television
programme made him change his eating habits.
When Mike isn't brushing up on his ballroom dancing or
running the Great North Run (just the once!), you'll find
him getting to know people playing Twister!
Mike
Parr
Place
of birth: Whitehaven, Cumbria.
Favourite
place or view in the North East: Shields Ferry. The
views from it are fantastic!
First
record you bought: "Barbados" by Typically
Tropical - this was the song that caught my imagination
as a youngster and made we want to work in radio.
Previous
jobs: I worked as a lumberjack in the Lake District.
I felt as though I’d done a good day’s work
and I always slept like a log(!) as it was so tiring.
Best
thing about working in radio: It’s a people thing
really - I love talking to people.
Most
interesting person you have interviewed for radio:
Lord Archer - he gives as good as he gets so he was a
real challenge. He’s cheeky and you can have a good
spat with him. His answers can be quite surprising.
Best
thing about your show: The unpredictability of the
programme - not knowing what ’s going to happen next,
and the way that the listener can steer the programme
off onto a new topic.
Person
you would most enjoy being stuck in a lift with: Ruth
England - presenter on "Wish You Were Here".
I think she would be good company.
Favourite
party game: Twister - it's a great way of getting
to know people!
Where
you are when you get most of your inspiration or creative
thoughts: Walking in Tynedale Country Park.
Funny
sayings you like to use: "You little tinker"
and "You’re joking me".
Proudest
achievement: Doing the Great North Run in 2002, and
a gold medal in ballroom dancing aged 11!
Where
you go for quiet moments: Craster.
Memories
of teachers at school: They all seemed to wear elbow
patches on their jackets! I was always being told off
by them for not doing my homework.
Any
habits, annoying or otherwise: I’m not the smoothest
of drivers, I think I’m a bit harsh on the controls!
When I tried out an electric car I managed to use up half
the battery in just 10 minutes.
