Place of birth:
Chelmsford Essex. Although I see myself as an adopted Northerner.
What's your favourite part of our area:
The fish sands on the Headland, Hartlepool.
Previous jobs:
Trained and worked in the horticultural industry in Kent and Essex. Worked on a nursery growing cut flowers for Covent Garden, plus worked at Hadlow College in Kent growing salad crops. Picking tomatoes for days on end is a thankless task... it was the radio that kept me sane.
Why do you love your job:
Variety is the spice of life. During the week I am based in our Open Centre and you never know who will be coming through the door. I recently met a man from our area who had survived an attack by a shark.
Most interesting person you have interviewed for radio:
Tommy Steele is one of the most unaffected show business people I have ever met.
I interviewed him in his dressing room directly after a performance of "Some Like It Hot" he was interesting and witty, he is in love with his business and unlike so many others not totally absorbed with himself.
Person you would most enjoy being stuck in a lift with:
Derren Brown. It would give me a chance to quiz him about his powers which of course wouldn't work on me.
First record you bought:
"Howzat" by Sherbet..don't ask why. The "love is a cricket match" metaphor was lost on me at the time. The 1970's were simpler times.
Where are you when you get most of your inspiration or creative thoughts:
In the car. Particularly when driving alone it's a chance to think things through. Moments to "mull over" are usually few and far between.
Funny sayings you like to use:
This is a great saying from Katherine Hepburn about how to harness performers nervous energy: "It's OK to have butterflies, we have to teach them how to fly."
Any habits, annoying or otherwise:
"It's here somewhere". I live in a perpetual state of untidiness. I like to say this is a sign of creativity, sadly no-one believes me!
Join Tim on Sundays for Songs from the Shows from 1700 to 1900.
