[Fathomer]

I've decided it's time I had a bit of a rant after listening to Fearne and Reggie this morning.

Why can't Radio 1 Invest in some REAL upcoming RADIO talent instead of those two excuses for dj's. They have no intrest in radio at all- and are just hosting their show since they are getting little or no tv work after the axing of TOTP.

Why not hire some local Radio DJs who are talented and up-and-coming. Matthew Bannister did this in his later days; dont tell me that the hiring of Chris Moyles and Scott Mills hasn't been a success.

As well as this, hiring local radio talent would be cheaper for the license fee payer and would bring fresh new talent into a media where all you need to be famous is to sleep with David Beckham.

Under Andy Parfitt we've had VERNON KAY, SARA COX and (of course) FEARNE AND REGGIE hired at the station. Great. Why not hire new upcoming DJs like Simon Hirst (Moyles' mate), Christian O'Connell, Tim Shaw, Lucio and Tom Binns.

GET IT SORTED PARF DADDY- You're killing Radio 1. Once Scott and Chris go who will we have????
Rant over.

[MC]

The problem is that Radio 1 has to prove it's different from commercial radio as part of its remit, and signing up lots of commercial DJ's is hardly going to help their argument. Didn't Mark Radcliffe say (when he left) that only Jo Whiley of the current daytime DJ's wouldn't get a gig on commercial radio as it is?

As for the DJ's you mention - Christian O'Connell and Simon Hirst are hardly up and coming. O'Connell has ruined his chance of ever getting to Radio 1 by criticising it so much, and Hirst just wouldn't suit them. Lucio is slick, but not much else.

Tom Binns and Tim Shaw are fantastic, but if you think Moyles gets into hot water, imagine the fines/complaints these two would bring in? In an ideal world, I'd have them on Radio 1, but it won't happen.

[Yudster]

I agree that putting TV presenters and assorted "celebrities" on the radio isn't good for the industry or for the listener. For me, the only one who really worked was Zoe Ball - but since then, all the new signings have been TV people, and they're getting blander by the week. It isn't the same medium - Fathomer is absolutely right, more radio professionals on Radio One.

Actually what about JK and Joel, what is their background?

[Quincy]

radio. i actually quite like jk and joel now.

[Adam]

It would be strange to have O'Connell on Radio 1. He was swipe this morning at Moyles

[Yudster]

I like them better than I did, definitely. They are quite a laugh, but they too seem a bit "TV" - thats why I wondered what their background is. I don't know where they were before Radio One?

[MC]

They were at Key 103 in Manchester from late 2000 until early 2004 doing the breakfast show, before that they did the breakfast show on Viking FM in Hull, and before that various work individually at lots of local radio stations.

[Yudster]

So they are solid "radio types" - thats good, more of the same please Mr Parfitt!

[Adam]

I agree that putting TV presenters and assorted "celebrities" on the radio isn't good for the industry or for the listener. For me, the only one who really worked was Zoe Ball - but since then, all the new signings have been TV people, and they're getting blander by the week. It isn't the same medium - Fathomer is absolutely right, more radio professionals on Radio One.

Actually what about JK and Joel, what is their background?

First worked together in 1996 at Viking FM > Took over the Breakfast Show > won a bronze Sony Radio Awards in 2000 > joined Key 103 in 2000 > joined Radio 1 in 2004 presenting a weekend programme > started presenting Radio 1 Chart Show

[Mcqueen_]

Hirst just wouldn't suit them.

I think Hirsty would have been a far better choice than JK and Joel. I think he could have adjusted to Radio1 quite well having a show style inbetween that of Moyles and Mills. When I previously could listen to his shows they were sometimes too commercial/local dj-esque but what can you expect from a commercial station.

Isn't he quite chummy with Moyles aswell even though he's competition for breakfast?

[Yudster]

I know this is a tangent, and if you don't want to go into it here them pm me - but could someone tell me what happened with Wes? He appeared out of nowhere, and disappeared faster than a streak of greased suet, and no-one on Radio One said why - or at least, not when I was listening they didn't! I have often wondered what was The Story of Wes, if someone could enlighten me that would be great!

[MC]

I think so, yeah.

There's a mention in the book about him chatting with Moyles in the pub about their favourite radio jingles.

I wouldn't know who Radio 1 would bring in from commercial radio at the moment, mainly because most of it is so bad I can't bring myself to listen to it. I knew about JK and Joel because I had listened to them a lot previously, and they had won Sony's etc. Wes was a gamble that didn't pay off so I don't know whether Radio 1 would risk taking on a totally unknown again?..

[Fathomer]

I've just spent the last 3 days doing work exp for Hirsty's Daily Dose/Making Teas etc. and I've never met a nicer guy in the industry.

Really talented as well- which helps. His sidekick Danny is also a proper laugh...funnier that the Master of Comedy himself TM.

And Jo Jo is a lovely hot momma as well. I wish I could laugh as much as she does

[Joe Boy]

Once JK and Joel move to daytime (which they are widely expected to next year) they're not gonna have anyone to host early breakfast, so maybe then they'll have a look through commercial radio. To be honest though, there's not really anything special out there anymore. Commercial radio wouldn't really have the guts to nurture a new Moyles - they'd much rather the bland 'that was, this was' DJs than someone with personality who pushes the boundaries. If you look at Radio 1's current daytime roster, they've all been there ages. Chris for 9 years, Jo for 13, Scott for 8 - only Edith's relatively new. But since they were employed, the world of radio has changed, and there's not much talent to be picked up now.

In many ways, Radio 1 is now similar to the way it was before Bannister. They're all considerably older than the target audience, presenting fairly mainstream shows during the day and earning their reputation by night. The crucial difference is that they appeal to the right audience. As it happens I think Radio 1 sounds better than it has for years right now, and there's not much need for bundles of new talent. That's just my opinion though....

[Andy B]

I know this is a tangent, and if you don't want to go into it here them pm me - but could someone tell me what happened with Wes? He appeared out of nowhere, and disappeared faster than a streak of greased suet, and no-one on Radio One said why - or at least, not when I was listening they didn't! I have often wondered what was The Story of Wes, if someone could enlighten me that would be great!

As far as I'm aware, he got drafted in to do help revive the flagging listenership of the chart show...didn't do it and the figures fell even more...so they sacked him and he's now at galaxy up in manchester.

That may be wrong I don't know.

[SAV1OUR]

See thats what I dont like about commercial radio, its full of trendies who think we're all obsessed with celebrity gossip. They appeal to the chavs, booming out the same, tired washed up, re-mixed dance, r&b drivel, its so very very marginalised, roof off the top of yer car, blingin, large it, ave it, you get mee??

THATS why Wes didnt work, and all the other pondlife commercial radio DJs up here. There really isnt any room for them to be creative, its like asking a McDonalds employee in Scunthorpe to come up with a chef special, theres no desire for it! But there really should be something or somebody that encourages new talent, and nurtures it, like a station dedicated to rating and slating any new DJ, you could laugh at how bad they were or vote to have them back, and they'd win a place doing early brekkie on Radio 1, would that go down well with you?

[Fathomer]

That is true.

But I did mention some djs where this wasn't the case:

DJs like Simon Hirst (Moyles' mate), Christian O'Connell, Tim Shaw, Lucio and Tom Binns.

[David]

Richard Bacon is quality.

[glennjpeace]

I seriously thiink that Parfitt should try and get some of the old Radio 1 DJ's like Simon Mayo or Zoe Ball back......what's your opinion? If would be good as it's Radio 1's 40th birthday next year!

[Fathomer]

For a one off show to celebrate 40 years would be good.
Not permantly though!

[glennjpeace]

That's what I meant

[Yudster]

Simon Mayo, Zoe Ball, Noel Edmonds and Mike Read. And maybe Steve Wright too, his afternoon show was brilliant. And he knew when it was time to move on too.

[Walter Sobchak]

I seriously thiink that Parfitt should try and get some of the old Radio 1 DJ's like Simon Mayo or Zoe Ball back......what's your opinion? If would be good as it's Radio 1's 40th birthday next year!

That would be an interesting idea, but you know who would probably get invited too......


Jimmy Saville

[David]

The problem is, do the majority of the listeners actually care about ex dj's, sadly most people these days just want to hear "Tunes"

I on the other hand would love to hear Mayo back for a one off gig!