Sunday, September 16, 2007

Radio One More Time: The pseudonyms

If, as we saw yesterday, Radio One's listings played host to a surprising number of unexpected names, the airwaves also played host to a depressing number of fake and adopted personas. It seems that nobody can work on a radio programme without being given a matey name.

Comedy Dave on Chris Moyles' show is but the latest in a very, very long line of producers, researchers and sidekicks who've travelled under false documents - either to disguise their real names, or to create a hilarious comedy character. The Steve Wright show buckled under the weight of them: Sid The Manager; Jervaise the hairdresser (complete with 'hilarious' homophobic overtones); Mr. Angry From Purley. Even Marc Riley spent his entire time at the station under the "Boy Lard" banner - although, oddly, Mark Radcliffe dropped the "Scrawn" nickname when the pair moved over from Radio 5. Gary Davies found space every day for Willie On The Plonker - two knob gags for the price of one - and Kevin Greening's travel was handled by Major Holdups. Jimmy Savile's Record Club owed the debt of organisation to Dignified Don, while Tony Blackburn's Junior Choice carried a credit for Uncle Ted.

And, one Christmas, Mike Smith got through the thankless task of presenting breakfast with the assistance of a Christmas Fairy. The fairy bore a surprising vocal resemblance to Sarah Greene.

[Part of Radio One More Time]


3 comments:

PeterD said...

When Jimmy Saville was running one of his many Sunday morning Marathons, and his show was recorded he used to call himself Herbert Hologram. Hilarity often ensued.

Anonymous said...

Off topic but I like to remind people that groovy from-the-block shouty music lovin' Zane Lowe's real name is.... umm.... Alexander. It's unlikely that he uses Zane to avoid being mistaken for the former singer with Hurricane #1. Alex Lowe isn't so sexy is it though?

Was Man Ezeke really called Man Ezeke? We should be told.

Anonymous said...

Apparently, yes. His full name's Ezekiel Gray.

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