Zebedee Soanes

Zeb studied drama at the University of East Anglia where, as a member of an improvised comedy team, he caught the attention of BBC Radio Norfolk - who were more than happy to exploit his skills as a mimic one afternoon a week for which he was paid in pints of Guinness.

After graduating he toured the UK as an actor with a string of Shakespearean roles, a stint in weekly rep and had a job as a drama master at a grand old school in deepest Norfolk.

His first job for the BBC in London was as a television continuity announcer for BBC1 and BBC2 before launching the digital television channel BBC4. From there it was a short hop to his current home at Radio 4, where he fulfilled a long-held ambition to put the nation to bed with The Shipping Forecast. "For years Radio 4 has punctuated my day; I love the fact that whenever I switch on the radio there is always something intriguing to keep me listening in the bath, the kitchen or the car far longer than I had originally intended."

Zeb hails from coastal Suffolk and returns there as often as he can to his bolt-hole by the sea. "London is fascinating, exciting and exasperating - there's nothing like a bracing walk on the beach for putting everything in its proper perspective."