Richard Allinson
1. How did you get into radio?
I got into radio at university; the studios were in my college. Discretion being the better part of annoying my professor I used my 1st 2 names Richard John (sounds like a hairdresser).
2. What was your first broadcast?
At university, when the new guy failed to turn up for the "New DJ" show. I was hanging around the studios and got pushed in front of the mic. I joined Capital Radio straight after graduating to do their UK Top 30 chart show and I think the first was Sunday Aug.6th 1980.
3. What other jobs have you done besides broadcasting?
All glamorous holiday jobs to pay my way through uni….West Midlands Gas Board, Hi-Fi shop at 5Ways in Birmingham, driving my Dad's vans…and I used to model clothes!!
4. What would you like to be if you weren't a radio presenter?
If I wasn't doing this I could get used to messing about with boats
5. What would listeners be surprised to learn about you?
I'm quite a good cook. Blame Gary Rhodes…
6. Which person would you most enjoy being stuck in a lift with?
Vanessa Feltz, Bernard Manning, Fern Britton, Eamonn Holmes…they could jump up and down and do us all a favour…
7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
How much is a lottery win? I'd like to make sure my friends and family were all secure but if we're talking vast sums of cash…we lost a baby girl at 16 weeks and had a tough time with our youngest boy just after he was born so I would like to help research into paediatric care.
8. What is your worst habit?
Procrastination…if I could ever get round to it…
9. Tell us about your 1st:
Car: Alfa Romeo
Job: This one
Kiss: Jane Pope, in her caravan, 10 years old (bet she doesn't remember)
Record: "Love Me Do" The Beatles, for my 3rd birthday
10. What is your favourite?
Food: Mash
Sandwich: Bacon
Place: The view as I drive into Burford
Clothing: An old cotton shirt from Margaret Howell, it gets better with age
Song: Please…! CS&N "Just a Song before I Go"…for someone special.
Singer: Dusty
Film: Dr. Strangelove
TV Show: QI
