Weekdays

1. How did you get into radio?

Sheer fluke.

I always dreamed that one day I would present a radio show – and in the end, I was very nearly forced into it! As a sports journalist in the West Midlands, I was asked to provide “expert commentary” for BBC WM. From there, I was thrown into football commentary – and one summer, I was offered a radio show because the station was running low on “people who could keep the needle wagging.” I had no idea what I would do or how I would do it… but I decided to throw caution to the wind and have a go. Fifteen years later, I’m still “having a go.”

2. What was your first broadcast?

Malcolm Boyden’s “Slap Up Sunday Lunchtime Show.” A two-hour 'extravaganza' on BBC WM. I don’t think the radio world knew what had hit it. During the course of the programme I very slowly saw the colour drain from the station manager’s face – but the listeners seemed to love it.

3. What other jobs have you done besides broadcasting?

I was a newspaper journalist for the romantically named “Redditch Indicator.” Then sports sub editor for the Daily Star and sports editor for the Birmingham Daily News. Eventually, I became a columnist for The Times newspaper. I’ve written four books, appeared in seven pantomimes (with the likes of Julian Clary, Danny La Rue and Brian Conley), danced with the Royal Ballet – and once cleaned the crocodile pen at Drayton Manor Park.

4. What would you like to be if you weren’t a radio presenter?

A bookies runner at Cheltenham, or possibly a vicar.

5. What would your listeners be surprised to learn about you?

I was Frank Bruno’s mother in pantomime for 14 weeks in Wolverhampton. I played “Gertie the Queen of the Circus” and he was my “Ring Master” (Master of the ring – get it?). I’ve had tea with Lord Lichfield (the Queen’s cousin and master photographer) and I once had a crush on the long distance athlete Zola Budd.

6. What person would you most enjoy being stuck in a lift with?

A lift engineer. I hate lifts at the best of times – being stuck in a lift would be a nightmare for me.

7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

I’ve never won anything in my life – not even the sack race on school sport’s day. But my first big money splash out would be a box at The Hawthorns  - where West Bromwich Albion play their home games. If I won enough, I might buy Oxford United a new player.

8. What is your worst habit?

Repeating myself – I said, repeating myself. I’m also very impatient.

9. Tell us about your 1st:

Car: A Vauxhall Viva, which my mum brought for me for £100. It was hand painted in royal blue and smelled of Brut 33 aftershave. There was a picture of Greek singer Demis Roussos in the glove compartment – so I guess a lady owner had it before me.

Job: I was in charge of the “births deaths and marriages” section of the Redditch Indicator newspaper.

Kiss: I kissed my Jeff Astle poster just after he’d scored the winning goal for West Bromwich Albion in the 1964 FA Cup final. I was nearly four years old and it seemed to make perfect sense.

Record: Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris. My mum later made me a false leg out of an old cricket bat so I could pretend I was Jake the Peg (another Rolf Harris creation). Human League’s “Dare” album, however, was my coming of age.

10. What is your favourite?

Food: Sunday roast which I always cook for the family – it’s my relaxation.

Sandwich: Steak and onion on a white baguette at the Queen’s Head in Bourneheath.

Place in Oxfordshire: I’m still discovering the area but I feel at home almost everywhere – particularly at the Kassam Stadium.

Item of clothing: Albion shirt circa 1978. Although my wife keeps trying to throw it in the dustbin.

Song: Changes every single day depending on what mood I’m in.

Singer: Too many to mention – I like a wide range from the old crooners right through to present day. Donny Osmond once gave me singing lessons – so I really should mention him… Oh, and legendary crooner Tony Bennett drew a picture of me which I still have in a wooden frame under the stairs.

Film: The Railway Children. It always makes me cry when the oldest girl sees her dad on the station platform at the end – call me an old softie if you like!

TV Show: I’m a news junkie – so any news shows or any live events, and I’m there. Currently enjoying watching repeats of “Whatever happened to the Likely Lads” and “Steptoe and Son.” I also loved the recent drama “Sunshine” – Bernard Hill was brilliant, wasn’t he?