Being an Announcer

The Radio 4 announcer's day starts with the alarm going soon after 4.00am, if they're on the early shift. Once in the studio they have to make numerous checks to ensure everything is in place and working to start Radio 4's day: the microphones and sound desk; the pre-recorded programmes; the trails; the paperwork; the music (in case of breakdown); the computers; and - of course - the Shipping Forecast.

Throughout the day the announcer has to be a trusted guide, ensuring that the listener is led clearly through the programme schedule. In a typical day there will be over 50 slots in between programmes for the announcer to fill, using a combination of pre-recorded trails, prepared scripts and ad libbing when the need arises.

At the back of every announcer's mind are the 'what if...?' questions: what if the Any Questions? outside broadcast line drops off ... what if there's a power cut ... what if we have to do a newsflash? They must have contingency plans for all such scenarios since the buck stops with them - to provide the continuity of Radio 4's sound.

The announcer must be adept in using sound desks, studio equipment and the rapidly changing aspects of audio technology as well as able to make time calculations, often when still speaking on air. They are expected to operate their own studio whilst concentrating on their core skill: speaking on air and communicating with the listener.

Radio 4's day ends with the announcer's longest spell on air: the full ten-minute Shipping Bulletin followed by a goodnight message to the listener, which should be timed to fit in the playing of the National Anthem just before the pips at 1.00am. Assuming all has gone to plan, the BBC World Service takes over the airwaves for the small hours as the announcer files the day's paperwork and vanishes into the night.

In short, the role of the Radio 4 announcer is to be the listener's friend: a working relationship that is second to none.