Radio Greats

Send us Fan MailHaving cut his teeth on Essex Radio - Mike Toolan has enjoyed a career on the radio of over 30 years, from a journey on stations that have included Marcher Sound, Rock FM, Capital Radio, Key 103 and now presenting Drivetime on Hits Radio.This week Mike joins Luke to share stories about his life and times on the radio - from getting the bug and working on Essex Radio, before getting sacked on Hospital Radio. Taking a trip to America, where he bluffed his way onto a station out there. What getting his first radio job on MFM was like and how he got sacked. Joining Rock FM and taking on Mid Mornings across the station. Working on TFM before moving to the Capital Group and presenting shows on BRMB and Capital. Moving to Manchester with Key 103 and becoming a national name on Hits Radio.Check out these Airchecks of Mike on Aircheck Downloads.And hear this cracking jingle of Mike's from Marcher on Soundcloud.And give Mike a follow on X @Toolyboy and on Instagram @miketoolanAnd find and listen to Mike on Hits Radio Drivetime every Weekday Evenings

Send us Fan MailYou remember the sound effects, the shows and the fact he has taken you to infinity and beyond (no pun intended) - but who is Tim Allen? Well he has done all many styles of radio, whether its Pirate, Instore, local and national radio.Well why not listen to Tim share his stories about his radio journey in this weeks edition of Radio Greats? There are plenty of stories to indulge in - from joining Radio Caroline to working with Chiltern, what it was like to work with his radio heroes on Classic Gold. Joining Wave 105 and working with the station for 17 years, before moving over to Nation Radio.Why not listen to Tim on Radio Caroline here on the Pirate Radio Hall of FameAlso listen to several airchecks of Tim on Radio Floss hereDon't forget also to listen to Tim on Airchecks Download

Send us Fan MailYou may remember him on Capital Gold as Neil Winfield  where he hosted Network shows across the country and also presented Breakfast on the Kent service. Or maybe you remember him presenting shows on Ten-17 FM in Harlow or maybe Breakfast on Time 107 FM in Romford, but there is one question! Who is Neil Andrews.Well this week he joins Luke to share stories about his career on the wireless, from how he developed that bug, before working on stations around the South of England and in London and also how his new radio station All Hit Radio began as a final show, but became a full fledge radio station!Why not listen to Neil every morning between 6 and 10AM on All Hit RadioAnd why not give Neil a follow on X @neilandrews1967And why not listen to these Airchecks of Neil on Capital Gold courtsey of Aircheck Downloads

Send us Fan MailFor the past four decades, Chris Farrell has been on radio stations across the country. He was part of the launch team of Heart 106.2 in London, where he hosted shows for nearly 17 years. He has also enjoyed stints on stations that included MFM, TFM and Horizon Radio.This week Chris sits down with Luke to share stories of his radio journey. Some of the stories include joining Essex Radio when he was just 10 years old, and working on stations around the country, to landing full time work on MFM, before moving down to Horizon and the Hot FM. Joining a new service in London called Heart 106.2 and what the launch date was like. Moving to America and coming back to the UK to take on work with Radio Jackie and GHR 80's.Check out some of these airchecks of Chris courtesy of Aircheck DownloadsAlso why not give Chris a follow on Instagram @chrisfarrellradio

Send us Fan MailHe is often dubbed as the King of Nightime Talk Radio, and is currently LBC's longest serving presenter. Having worked in all fields on the station from producing, reporting and presenting - but there is one question, who is Clive Bull?Well this week he joins Luke to chat about his life and career on the radio and how he became associated with talk radio. Some of the stories we touch upon including getting that passion for radio and starting up a school radio station, before going to the National Broadcasting School. How he turned down a job at Southern Sound to join LBC. How he became associated with nightime radio and also how Peter Cook started phoning in his show as Sven from Swiss Cottage. What the split of FM and AM was like and some of the calls he has taken over the years and what it was like to see LBC go from a Local London station to a National one.Remember to listen to Clive on LBC every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 1AM and 4AM.Also follow Clive on X: @clivebullAnd listen to these Airchecks of Clive, coutesy of Aircheck DownloadsAnd watch this documentary of Clive on LBC from 1991 on Youtube.

Send us Fan MailRobin Banks is now a Middle East-based executive presentation and communication coach, helping professionals build executive presence, communication coaching, public speaking confidence, presentation coaching and boardroom communication skills all across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and all over the GCC. In this second of two parts, Robin sits down with Luke to chat extensively about his radio career. In this episode we range from joining Beat 106 and making great content and breaking almost every rule in the book. Joining KISS FM and beating Capital Radio, before taking time out and starting up a business before returning to the wireless with Leicester Sound and then joining Orion Media and presenting shows across the midlands with Theo the Greek. Moving around the country with stations that included Star FM and Radio Jackie, before moving out to the Middle East, where we find him today.You can find out more about Robin by visiting his website right here: robinbanks.comAlso check Robin out on Facebook, Linkedln and on InstagramAlso check out these airchecks of Robin, courtsey of Aircheck Downloads

Send us Fan MailRobin Banks is now a Middle East-based executive presentation and communication coach, helping professionals build executive presence, communication coaching, public speaking confidence, presentation coaching and boardroom communication skills all across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and all over the GCC. In this first of two parts, Robin sits down with Luke to chat extensively about his radio career. In this episode we range from developing the bug, and getting a job at 13 years old on a station in Kilkenny, before joining Chris Cary's Radio Nova. Moving over to Atlantic 252 and what it was like broadcasting on Longwave and some of the Antics he got up to in Trim. Topping the Smash Hits magazine and moving over to Virgin 1215, where he famously announced Chris Evans had died. Joining XFM and how he punched Richard Park.You can find out more about Robin by visiting his website right here: robinbanks.comAlso check Robin out on Facebook, Linkedln and on InstagramAlso check out these airchecks of Robin, courtsey of Aircheck Downloads

Send us Fan MailCurrently broadcasting from the Salford Rivera often on a Weeknight after midnight on BBC Radio 2, OJ Borg has had a stellar career on the radio. Whether it was on Galaxy, Kix 96.2 FM, XFM South Wales or Key 103. OJ has many stories to share in this weeks edition.Why not listen to OJ sit down and reflect on the last three decades on the radio, with some fun stories about his time on air and how a specific programme on Leicester Sound inspired him to start a radio career.Listen to OJ on BBC Radio 2.And follow OJ on X: @OJBorg and on Instagram: @oj_borg.Also listen to this aircheck of OJ on Radio 2 from Aircheck Downloads.We would like to extend additional thanks to Robin Blamires and Radio Moments for additional content that was used in this weeks edition.

Send us Fan MailHe's launched the careers of so many singers and bands. He hung out with Wham! and Bananarama back in the days. He's presented on Capital, GLR and XFM. But there is one question.. Who is Gary Crowley?Well this week Gary joins us for an edition to chat about his career on the radio. Have a listen to how Gary got the bug from radio and how he interviewed members of The Jam whilst he was still in School. How his first radio show was presenting In Concert for BBC Radio 1. What joining Capital Radio was like, the shows he presented and the gods he was around. Why he joined BBC GLR and what the launch of XFM was like and what its like to be back at the BBC with Radio London.Currently you can catch Gary every Saturday afternoon on BBC Radio London.Also why not listen to Gary launch XFM here on Aircheck Downloads.Also listen to Gary here on Youtube, interviewing George and Andrew from Wham!And follow Gary on X: @CrowleyonAir and on Instagram: @garycrowleyonairWe would like to extend additional thanks to Random Radio Joittings, Radio Rewind, Depeche Mode Wiki Live, Things we Lost in Tapes, FrutierThanThou and TheSoundMaster for additional content.

Send us Fan MailFor over 33 years Tich McCooey was one of the most recognised presenters on MFR (Moray Firth Radio) presenting almost every show on the station, including Lunchtimes and Breakfast. During his time he came close to presenting The Big Breakfast on Channel 4. And Even presented his show from London, which involved a alteration with Chris Evans on BBC Radio 1.This week Tich joins Luke on Radio Greats to share many memories of his time on MFR, from getting the bug for Radio, how a demo lead to the Programme Controller offering him the Saturday Chart Show. Presenting Lunchtime and Breakfast, what MFR was like as a station and coming back to present the Tich Mix.Discover more about Tich and listen to some cracking promos and jingles at Vintage MFR.Read also about Tich's alteration with Chris Evans here at The Scotsman.And listen to Tich on MFR Country here on Audioboom.And MFR's thirtieth anniversay on Aircheck Downloads.