Tony Gillham Interview

What radio experience did you have before joining Radio Broadland?

I came to the station from Radio 2, where I had been presenting overnights. This actually meant that I appeared on BBC Radio Norfolk until 6am re-appearing on Radio Broadland 3 hours later! Before that I had been on Chiltern Radio, Mercia Sound (Coventry), Radio Orwell (Ipswich) and Radio Tees (Cleveland).

Do you have any memories of Radio Broadland's early days?

Great anticipation on the first day. I remember Nick Risby being VERY nervous. I also remember the commemorative cake arriving... I still haven't had a piece! During the test transmissions for the station we used to play a lot of new music, at the request of Laser 558 (the pirate station). They used to record the songs so they could play them on the air! Also, Russ Stuart was the original MD - ask him about the time he pretended to be me!

What shows did you present during your time at Broadland? 

I presented 9-12 am and the No1 Show at weekends.

Did you ever do or say anything embarrassing on air at Broadland? 

Not at Broadland but many times since! 

Why did you decided to move on from Broadland? 

I wish I was still there! I couldn't sell my house in Bedfordshire. Then, the BBC decided to open a new station there. They offered me a job and I accepted. Many years later I discovered that a conspiracy had been in place. A rival station (no names) wanted me off the air and another job was "conveniently" offered to me!

What have you been up to since leaving the station? 

Well, I love local radio and that's where I am. After Broadland and a stint at BBC Radio Bedfordshire I was poached by GWR. I was Music Director and Breakfast presenter at Brunel Radio in Swindon. They made me redundant after 10 years, during which time I had become Programme Controller of the Classic Gold network. After that I drifted into BBC local radio at Oxford, Northampton and Devon. These days I present the Late Show on 10 stations in the West, South West and Channel Islands. I also present my oldies show "Gillham Gold" on a number of stations. This is presented from my own studio in Devon.

Have you ever had to deal with any major technical glitches while on the air? How did you sort them out? 

Loads of times! When they introduced computers at Classic Gold, there were so many silences that the jocks re-named it Classic Gap Radio!

So, what are you like in person?

That's hard. I am myself on the air, always loving the music. These days I talk to so many lonely people on the air it makes me sad. I am still in love with the 60s but really love modern artistes like Coldplay, Pink and Kylie! I like to spend time with my daughter Layla (8) and son Anthony (16). I live apart from both but I love them to bits.

How did it feel to go national on Radio 2, how did it come about?

Radio 2 was great. A director of Chiltern knew a producer at Radio 2 and recommended me. Before I knew it, I was there! Sadly, a new controller took over who only wanted "famous" people on the air. She had never heard of me - so I was history!