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James Hazell Interview How did you first get into radio? I entered a competition in the Evening News called "Search for a DJ". I had always wanted to get into radio but did not at that stage know how to do it! I got in the final which amounted to 1 hour on the air on the Chris Lee Late Show. I developed a friendship with Chris and spent a year making coffee, carting up etc etc (A proper apprenticeship!). In that time I became very good friends with Rob Chandler, as I am to this day. I hung around the studios enough to get Nick Risby to listen to a tape. He approached Mike Stewart (the station's PC) and I was offered the Early Show.
Have you ever said anything embarrassing on air? Where do I start... My earliest goof was referring to Arkansas as 'Ar-kan-sass'. My tirade of foul language over the talkback has often caused trouble. The Reverend Tony Ward will vouch for that, very embarrassing! During one Sunday morning at CNFM Cambridge (as it was then), the Cambs transmitter had failed, we were off-air, so I was simply going through the motions, playing music and waiting for it to be repaired. I thought it would be amusing to do the weather with 'feeling' since it was such a horrible morning. I delivered a foul mouthed weather forecast, only to get a call from the engineers to remind me that the Newmarket transmitter was in fact still on... Although I had complaints, every one agreed with my 'sentiment'!
Do you have any interesting stories about callers to your shows? Again there have been many over the years. During the Saturday Special we would run a competition called 'Goal Guess'. Callers predicted the Norwich score and would win something or other if correct. I took a call to air from a lady who turned out to be the wife of a high profile Norwich player. I asked why she was backing the opposition and not predicting any Norwich goals, to which she replied "I know what he was doing late last night!"
What have you been up
to since leaving Broadland? I have presented breakfast shows across East Anglia - Ipswich, Peterborough, Essex etc. I became 'management' in the form of programme controller for various stations. I now run a commercial production company amongst other things.
Have you ever had to deal with any big technical glitches? The most bizarre was an occasion where I broke a stylus (Yes, we played records in those days!). I hunted high and low for a replacement but to no avail. I dug out the long version of 'Love to love you baby - Donna Summer' and drove home, pinching one from my road show turntables. I remember cringing in the car when she screamed the way she does! However, the worst one was at SGR. I spilt an entire can of coke into the desk. At first it seemed OK and I thought I had gotten away with it. Then came the burnt electrical smell, followed by warning lights, hiss in the headphones... finally one loud bang. I was officially asked to drink 'Diet' drinks in the future since they are far easier to clean out of equipment, apparently!
If you didn't get into radio, what do you think you'd be doing? Probably still be at Argos emptying those damned lorries. I guess computers would be the most likely, since I have gone into them in any case.
How would you sum yourself up? What kind of things interest you and what really annoys you? I was born in Great Yarmouth 1964. I have supported and loved Manchester United since 1972 - yes including the relegation year. I am married and have 4 children. I love to drive. I hate speed cameras. I love my speed camera detector. I hate mobile speed traps that don't trigger my detector. I love Honda v-tec engines. I love technology (toys). I hate spam. I hate being near to forty. I love The Simpsons, The Office, Dad's Army and Star Trek Next Generation. I hate paying for all those BBC channels I never watch. I hate radio that is aimed at youth but misses it by a mile. I love Level 42. I love most of the music the years 1977 to 1987 produced. I hate under qualified, under-experienced management. I hate winter. Love Ruud Van Nistlerooy, hate Martin Keown. Hate Liverpool. Love MUFC, hate being called a glory hunter. Seriously... I love my family to such an extent there's little room for any hate, except Liverpool!
Where is James now?
James Hazell can now be found on
BBC Radio Suffolk.
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