Trevor's answers

Where were you born?
Hackney, East London

Your favourite hobby as a kid?
I was a stamp collector, a chess champion and a record wicket taker at Cricket in Primary School. Later I moved on to skateboarding and then records took over. Basically I was a geek.

How did you get into being a DJ/presenter?
I became a DJ because I was too scared to ask girls to dance at my school disco. I started out on pirate radio and then our show became legal. I made a demo tape for Radio 1’s new RnB show and got the gig. I’ve been there ever since and started on 1Xtra in 2007.

Your biggest influences and why?
The film critic, Barry Norman - I loved watching his show because you could tell he wrote his own script. I also really like his dry personality. Fab Five Freddie who presented Yo! MTV Raps, he was a smooth kind of guy who didn’t get caught up in the Hip Hop patter and he wasn’t a stereotype, he was his own man in the Hip Hop world.

Key achievements?
I built a name for myself running five club residences that each lasted for over three years. My favourite
parties were the Lick ones. I won a MOBO when they meant something and presented the show twice
about eight years ago.

I’m about to enter my 10th year on The Lick, which makes it the longest running show in MTV history. I ran a record label called Cooltempo for EMI, and promoted Mica Paris, D’Angelo, Lynden David Hall and Arrested Development. I got an MBE for being a volunteering ambassador.

Key tune that you love or inspired you and why?
Stevie Wonder’s As. It’s such a feel good record. I can’t help but smile or sing along when I hear it. It just has everything in a record that I like.

Favourite lyric and why?
“I was born by the river in a little tent and just like the river I’ve been running ever since. It’s been a long time coming but I know a change is gonna come” – Sam Cook. It’s how you feel when you’re young and you think there’s no hope.

Your dream gig line-up?
A young James Brown (as warm up), Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and then Bob Marley - all on the same bill.

Hobbies outside music?
My hobbies are boxing training (although it’s really hard!), watch Chelsea play football, practice golf and flirt.

Three rules you live your life by?
It’s only a car (I’ve crashed every car ever driven)
Some people died for their freedom (I’m going through a divorce)
Be an individual
Hope is for the Salvation Army

You get one free slap on somebody in the world to tell them to sort it out, who would get it and why?
Paris Hilton because she came to a club night of mine and wrote a list of records she expected me to play including one of hers!

What's your weakness and why?
Television! It just has to be on once I’m in my flat - even if I can’t see it! I also sleep with it on. It takes my thought process away so I can go to sleep.

Favourite piece of clothing and why?
A Christian Dior suit that I think I’ve lost!

You see your friend's boyfriend/girlfriend kissing someone else. What do you do?
If it was a really close friend I would tell them.

What was the most expensive thing that you have bought that you have never used?
A projector/screen with about 12 thousand hours worth of bulbs on it and I’ve used it for about 8 hours in five years.