Weekday Presenter Profiles

TUESDAY 30th JUNE, 2009...

Well, I'm back off my holiday and already feeling like I've never been away!

We were talking about whether fat celebs should be allowed on TV.  A report out this morning said that fat celebs should be banned because they set a bad example for our children, apparently leading them to think that it's okay to be obese.

What a load of tosh! I have never heard so much rubbish in all my life. The size zero issue has seemingly been sorted, so they've turned the tables and are now picking on fat people!

To be honest, I am a a bit fat and I can categorically tell you that it's not because I watch to many telly programmes with big people in (although watching too much TV may well contribute to my waistline!).

Lots of you got in touch this morning to say that you agreed with me.  Andy in Long Buckby was on too, he really made me laugh, asking whether we should put Father Christmas on a diet - he's a huge celeb and he's hardly trim, is he?!

As always, if you have a story which you think we should follow up, just send me an email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk, or use the form at the very bottom of this page.

We're also on Facebook:

And, we're on Twitter:

Have a great day, tune in tomorrow from 6am on BBC Radio Northampton - 104.2FM & 103.6FM.

MONDAY 15th JUNE, 2009...

We were talking about the birds and the bees on today's show and whether it's right to talk openly about sex with your children.  If you missed the teenagers talking about how they're parents have broached the subject, then listen back on the iPlayer - they were very, um, honest!

We looked back at the Northampton carnival too and there's some great pictures on our homepage.

We were also talking about men's health this morning.  A report out today says that men are more likely to die from cancer than women because they don't look after themselves and never go to the doctors when they suspect something is wrong.

Us men are stupid, I mean when you think about it, why would you not go to the doctors?  Throw your preconceptions out the window and go and get checked if you suspect something is wrong with you and, I'm sorry, but if that makes me a less of a man, then a sissy I am!

As always, if you have a story which you think we should follow up, just send me an email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk, or use the form at the very bottom of this page.

Have a great day, tune in tomorrow from 6am on BBC Radio Northampton - 104.2FM & 103.6FM.

THURSDAY 11th June, 2009...

Busy show today.  We were talking about times you'd complained to a company and, as a result, got free stuff.  We also wanted your stories about times that you'd complained or made a scene and then realised that you were the one in the wrong.

Lots of people got in touch, we had some great stories.  Peter in Spinney Hill was on telling us how he managed to get 12 free jars of jam, after finding a hair in one.  Lynn in Brixworth was on too, she managed to get free British Grand Prix tickets and met racing drivers in the paddock, just because a member of a race team parked in front of her blocking her view of a parade she was watching in Northampton.  We also had a text from someone who called a take away, after ordering a late night curry when there were a bit worse for wear, to complain that some dishes were missing.  They apparently had a right go a the person on the phone, only to find the next morning that the dish was in fact in the bin, with his empty containers!

We were also talking about the plight of carers in Northamptonshire this morning and I promised that I would post the details of Northamptonshire Carers, an organisation which helps carers in the county.  Their phone number is: 01604 232500, or you can visit the website:

As always, if you have a story which you think we should follow up, just send me an email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk, or use the form at the very bottom of this page.

Have a great weekend, tune in Monday from 6am on BBC Radio Northampton - 104.2FM & 103.6FM.

TUESDAY 9th JUNE, 2009...

Sorry I didn't update the blog yesterday, I was being shown around the new Corby East Midlands International Swimming Pool.  The Olympic size jobby which opens next month.  It's not quite finished, but it was very, very impressive and very big!  There's a couple of pictures on my twitter site (@joepbreakfast).

On today's show, we were talking about shocking figures which show that four people a day are now calling Northamptonshire Police saying they suspect a child is being abused and that the number of calls they're getting has gone up by a quarter in the past year.  We heard from the NSPCC on the show and I promised that I would put the contact details on the blog, so here they are - you can phone: 0808 800 5000 or visit the website:

You can also Northamptonshire Police: 03000 111 222 if you suspect a child is being abused.

As always, if you have a story which you think we should follow up, just send me an email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk, or use the form at the very bottom of this page.

Have a great day, tune in tomorrow from 6am on BBC Radio Northampton - 104.2FM & 103.6FM.

FRIDAY 4th JUNE, 2009...

After a day off, I was back on the show today and we had a busy one.

We were talking about that hole which is still taking up half of the Lower Mounts in Northampton and causing traffic problems at peak times.  It was caused by a burst water main, but that was sorted a few days ago, so we made it our morning mission to get answers - and we succeeded!  Anglian Water told us that it would be sorted by Monday, YIPPEE!  If you want to see a picture of it by the way, check my Twitter site which is @joepbreakfast.

We were also talking about times you'd embarrassed yourself this morning, after London Mayor, Boris Johnson, ended up chin deep in a river.  So many of you got in touch!

Here's just a couple:  Jim, East Hunsbury told us about how his son tried to flirt with his doctor whilst having a consultation.  Apparently, he kept giving her "the eye" and smiling. After the appointment was complete he got up, gave her the "sexiest look he could" and proceeded to walk straight into the stationary cupboard!

Ally in Highem Ferris was on too, she told us how her husband embarrassed her in a garden centre.  She was looking for some woodchip, or bark.  Her husband was barking like a dog in the garden centre.  Nice.

Then, there was Derek in Boothville, who told us how, as a child, he walked into the wrong house, sat at the table and then realised that he's gate crashed a strangers Sunday lunch.  He thought he was walking into his uncle's house!

Thanks for all of your calls this morning, it was great fun.

As always, if you have a story which you think we should follow up, just send me an email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk, or use the form at the very bottom of this page.

Have a great weekend, tune in Monday from 6am on BBC Radio Northampton - 104.2FM & 103.6FM.

WEDNESDAY 3rd JUNE, 2009...

We spoke to a man called Michael Pilbro on today's show.  Michael is one of life's brave people, someone who has been through more heart ache than many of us could ever imagine.

At the age of 19, Michael's daughter, Hazel, died.  She had a brain tumour.  Loosing a child must be one of the worst things imaginable, but Michael's turmoil didn't end there.  A few years later, racked with fear that he might suffer a similar fate as his sister, Michael's son, aged 20, took his own life.

Twenty years on, Michael has decided that he wants to raise awareness of brain tumours and is trying to raise the profile of the charity Brain Tumour Research.  You can find out more about the charity by calling 01296 733011 or visit:

As always, if you have a story which you think we should follow up, just send me an email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk, or use the form at the very bottom of this page.

Have a great day, tune in tomorrow from 6am on BBC Radio Northampton - 104.2FM & 103.6FM.

TUESDAY 2nd JUNE, 2009...

We were talking about a bloke from Northamptonshire who came second in a national Richard Branson look a like competition.  This got us thinking about look a likes.  Now, obviously I am the spitting image of Brad Pitt (please ignore the picture at the top of this page) and I'd love to hear from you if you're often mistaken for someone famous, or if you're a professional look a like!  Get in touch by email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk.

Faryl Smith, the 13 year old from Kettering, who shot to fame after appearing on last year's Britain's Got Talent, was on this show today too.  She's had an amazing year which has included singing at the Classical Brits, the FA Cup Final and Hampton Court Palace festival.  She's also got the biggest record contract ever awarded to a girl her age and had the fastest selling classical debut album of all time.  Not bad for a schoolgirl from Northamptonshire.  Faryl also shared her thought on the Susan Boyle saga.  Listen on the iPlayer if you get a chance.

Also today, we spoke about LINK, a new body being set up to get the public's views on health and social care issues.  Anyone can join, if you're interested call 01604 808684.

As always, if you have a story which you think we should follow up, just send me an email: joe.pignatiello@bbc.co.uk, or use the form at the very bottom of this page.

Have a great day, tune in tomorrow from 6am on BBC Radio Northampton - 104.2FM & 103.6FM.