I’m Allan Lake and I’ll be honest with you all – I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about anything in my whole life. I actually grew up with this station and the fact that I’m going to be part of the team bringing it to the next level is wicked. It should also make a lot of you feel quite old.
My first presenter job was on Isle of Wight Radio when I was 16. The programme controller described me as a ‘loose cannon’ which I used to love because I thought it meant I was cool… I later learnt he meant I was all over the place, reckless and couldn’t be trusted. When he sacked me (just for saying ‘the phones lines for the competition are as open as Jordan’s Legs!’) he eased the blow by saying ‘I’m sure one day you’ll be working on a big station, like GWR Bristol or 2 TEN FM.”
I’m so sorry to disappoint you Andy.
After being pushed around the country, fired from one station to the next, I find myself in Cardiff, Wales living in my girlfriend’s parent’s house like the real life Gavin and Stacey. In fact, the only difference is:
- I’m not from Essex
- I don’t drive a car
- I don’t worry about carrying EXACT CASH for the Toll Bridge.
I do love living in Wales mind so I’ll be sad to go. I’ve become accustomed to saying “lush” and ending sentences with a question… is it?
I’ve worked for tonnes of stations over the years, mostly for very short periods of time… usually because THEY JUST DON’T GET ME. I’m so happy to finally be at a station that isn’t afraid of making mistakes, that is going to try stuff.
Anyway, you’ll hear me on Absolute Radio really soon, in the middle of night mind, but that’s probably for the best. The management will be asleep or out in dodgy Soho members clubs, so no one will hear the naughty bits we will end up doing!
Seriously, I can’t wait to come to Golden Square and work with the people that I have looked up to for years, I have been ashamed of some the stations that I have been on. Finally something good on the horizon!
Allan
