Radio Moments - Conversations

116: Conversations Special - The John Peters Story

John Peters was born in Middlesex.  His radio career began at the factory station UBN before progressing to the new Radio Trent  in Nottingham where he hosted the station's first ever breakfast show.  He later transferred to launch its oldies spin-off GEM AM.   Saga Radio came next, where he was also the first voice. John's final radio stint was on board Boom Radio where he addressed his first national audience.   John was a slick operator, gifted in genuine music radio - inspired by the American style. In this fond thirty minutes, enjoy a few words from John and hear him in action.  John died in May 2025.

115: Gary Burgess - Wave, Wire, Q96, UTV, BBC Guernsey, ITV, Channel 103

Graduating from a school radio station – to emerge as a familiar face on ITV in the Channel Islands via a successful spell in commercial radio programming, this is story of Gary Burgess. In this hour of Radio Moments Conversations, Gary tells of his childhood in South Africa and his early enthusiasm for radio, leading eventually to early work at Blackpool’s Radio Wave on moving with his family back to the UK. Having risen through the ranks to the post of programme Controller, Gary seized the reins at Wire FM in Warrington, and helped to rescue Q96 in Renfrewshire from regulatory wrath. A move then followed to the islands he was to grow to love, when he was invited to programme Island FM in Guernsey, progressing to the Managing Director role.  Then back to England to serve as senior programmer at UTV, responsible for UTV Radio's north of England radio stations, with particular focus on managing the output of Juice FM in Liverpool. Gary opens up about his frustrations with that role, prompting him to return to the Channel Islands – and to on-air work with the BBC at Radio Guernsey.  A return to the commercial sector then beckoned as he began ten years as a key reporter for  ITV’s regional news programme for the Channel Islands. In an increasingly cross-platform world, he shares some of the secrets he's discovered about engaging video production. He talks openly too about his health. From the tackling of testicular cancer, through an exhausting lengthy spell with ME, before a return of cancer. Then, at the end of 2020, facing the news that he could expect to live around six months. Still on-air with ITV and back on radio at Channel 103, he tells of how he is facing the diagnosis – and of the huge support he has received from those in his beloved Channel Islands and beyond. In his own words, this is the inspiring story of Gary Burgess.  Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series   

114: Howard Hughes - City, Wyvern, Capital, LBC, BBC local

The shy schoolboy whose commanding voice went on to dominate London’s news bulletins for a generation. In this hour of ‘Radio Moments – Conversations’, Howard Hughes tells of his life – from his childhood love of TV continuity to success in a local radio contest landing him his first fifteen minutes of fame – and ultimately the start of a career - on Radio City.  He opens up about his various spells at BBC local radio – and shares stories so typical of the age from a new Radio Wyvern in Worcester. Having graduated to IRN, he tells of the move to Capital where he assumed – tentatively at first – the key role as the voice of news on Chris Tarrant’s incomparable breakfast show. Tempted to his dream job at LBC, he tells of his disappointment as things failed to work out as he’d hoped – and how the experience changed him. Howard reflects too on his more recent endeavours at Smooth, TV VOs – and the pride he had in his podcast - and how his booming trademark voice evolved. In his own words – this is the Howard Hughes story. Howard died in November 2024. Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here.

113: Graham Torrington - BRMB, Buzz, Kix 96, GWR group, BBC local

From helping out on a charity appeal to dominating late night music radio for generations. In this hour of Radio Moments – Conversations, Graham Torrington tells how his early love for radio led to his arrival at BRMB to help with the annual Walkathon. Graduating quickly from occasional shows to daytime contemporary radio, he quickly made his mark before the potential of a late-night love songs programme was unleashed. Pushed aside from the station he loved, he moved to the challenged Buzz FM and then onto help launch Kix 96 as Programme Controller.  Graham tells of the call which led then to his appointment at GWR and how his reputation grew as the company expanded to dominate numerous UK markets - to the annoyance of some. Graham tells of the evolution of Late Night Love, the genuine value he feels it brought to listeners and the art of getting the stories from them. As another takeover ended his spell with that group, he talks of life at the BBC and how he once again created late night magic of a more comforting flavour. As Graham retires from UK radio – for now at least – he tells too the things he never mentioned on air about his own life. What are his stories? This is Graham Torrington – in his own words – alone. Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series   

112: Clive Dickens - Chiltern, BRMB, Capital, ARI, Absolute, Austereo, Seven West, Optus

The teenage tape reclaimer - whose DNA now remains across UK radio and whose influence is felt around the World. Clive Dickens opens up rarely – and looks back even more rarely. In this hour of Radio Moments Conversations he shares the journey from his roots at a new Chiltern Radio and how he speedily scaled the heights to group programme director. As the industry began to consolidate, he tells of his move to the Capital Group, working with Richard Park – and the challenges and opportunities of its newly-acquired BRMB. He talks of the many crossroads in his life – and the encounter that helped him seize them – including the move from Capital to forge his own path. Clive tells the frank story of the battle for the Absolute Radio name and the impact of the economic crash – and also of his proud legacy there. He explains his passion for technology, tells the Shazam story, reflects on his work in markets around the world and talks of his move to Australia to Southern Cross Austereo. He shares fascinating insight into the Australian media world and offers his thoughts on the media and communications future – from his new role in Sydney as VP Product Development, TV and Content at the huge telecoms company Optus. This is Clive Dickens – in his own words – alone. Hear the whole ‘Radio Moments Conversations’ series here – and sign up for the regular podcast for this ongoing series