Here are the ten successful people from our auditions to find someone with "the gift" - the gift of the gab - with a chance to win the opportunity of a lifetime … a 60-minute radio programme broadcast on BBC Radio Lancashire and across the world on the Internet. Woo! They will now go forward to attend “Presenter School” – a 4-hour intensive training session at BBC Radio Lancashire in Blackburn. See if you agree with the judges! ------ Richard AlkerFrom: Adlington
Occupation: Chilli grower Why do you have the gift? I’ve done lots of events and appearances in my quest to educate the nation in chilli growing, variety and cooking, working with chefs, producers (tv and radio) – Peter Baker said I was a personable, passionate and natural presenter PS I’m also a university lecturer, part-time in economics and business I’m a cross between Alan Titchmarsh and Peter Kay Judges comments: bit chilli-obsessed … nice voice and presentation … smile in his voice … pleasant delivery … good to listen to … had a lot to say but didn’t drown on … too much like a salesman? ------ Janet BaronFrom: Chorley
Occupation: Drama Teacher Why do you have the gift? I love to communicate with people and I love living in Lancashire. I love to entertain and am interested in all local things. I have always worked in “people” jobs and especially in communication aspects such as courier, acting, role play, teaching I’m like Sally Naden – love to talk and am interested in local people (or Alison Butterworth as I have a loud laugh) Judges comments: fun … vibrant … cheerful … friendly … exhausting … loony … motormouth … entertaining ------ Catherine CocklynFrom: Rossendale
Occupation: Beauty Therapist and “paint your own” pottery studio Why do you have the gift? I love entertaining people and I can gab! I love local issues and people and chatting about what is happening to them. I deal with people everyday in my day jobs from toddlers to hairy old men and women! (I love them all). I’ve got a big mouth (does that help?) I have done panto a few times and plays and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere – I would love to try entertaining using a medium that I listen to everyday – and can’t resist texting in sometimes! I’d liken myself to Steve Royle – because he is manic, fun, entertaining and game for a laugh. I can be all of these sometimes and will try anything once. Judges comments …really bubbly … thought of some good ideas … good audition piece … I like her … great fun … loads of ideas … sky-dived twice! ------ Sarah EvansFrom: Fleetwood
Occupation: Nurse Why do you have the gift? I like to communicate with lots of different people and enjoy meeting new people. I thought that I would like to try this new experience as I enjoy listening to radio teams as I go about my day, something must have rubbed off! I wouldn’t liken myself to any radio presenter, but the style and approach of BBC Radio Lancashire gets my vote! Judge comments … down to earth … very warm … sense of humour … spoke to fast … real … ------ Kath FairburnFrom: Whalley
Occupation: Commercial Interior Designer Why do you have the gift? Because my mother gave it to me 57 years ago and I intend to make the most of it! Every radio presenters is an individual, a unique element. I suppose I would be most like Ted Robbins – but after a year of dieting, sex change and elocution lessons! Judges comments … love her … inquisitive … love of people … fascinating … smart ------ Stephen LoweFrom: Blackburn
Occupation: Manager at a Forestry Firm Why do you have the gift? I love to make people laugh and to paint a picture with words. I think radio is the door to your imagination and I want to be someone who fills that with joy and laughter. I would liken myself to “Super Ted” in the morning – because I love Lancashire people and food … or maybe Tony Livesey for my dashing good looks. Judges comments … good … confident … good fun … great sense of humour … great talker … loves radio … good programme idea. ------ Chris MaguireFrom: Clayton-le-Woods
Occupation: Journalist Why do you have the gift? Law of averages says I’m good at something! I would liken myself to Tony Livesey (see occupation). He doesn’t mind having a laugh at his own expense and talks about himself all the time. On a serious note, he lifts the gloom in the morning! An ethos I happen to share. Judges comments … can talk … love him … very funny … confident … great talker … genuine … friendly … a definite! ------ Johny “DJ” PepFrom: Heysham
Occupation: Disc Jockey Why do you have the gift? It’s a warm feeling in my belly! Plus the gift is to make people smile and laugh I liken myself to Kenny Everett – “whacky” … interactive radio with “what will happen next?” Judges comments … mad … funny … he was wearing a space suit! ------ Sarah WalbyFrom: Southport
Occupation: Part-time curtaining / interiors consultant Why do you have the gift? I am passionate about radio and it is all I have ever wanted to do I liken myself to a female radio presenter who shall remain nameless … she is natural and not full of herself! Judges comments … nice … lovely voice … compassionate … had a great programme idea … determined to make an impact … good homework … could be good! ------ Jim WhelanFrom: Bury
Occupation: Actor Why do you have the gift? I don’t know what exactly defines “the gift” … maybe we will find out! Or have fun finding out … I wish I could say I am a cross between Terry Wogan, Michael Parkinson and Ted Robbins … I just don’t know. Judges comments … played a lot of vicars … recognisable … love him … very relaxed … comfortable … good talker. ------ Comments from audition survivors...We asked everyone who had an audition to tell us how it went … here are a handful of comments … Helen Randle … It was fun, fast and furious … I really enjoyed the experience, so thank you BBC Radio Lancashire for listening to me! Peter Dickinson … I think I did well. Well organised by the radio … put at ease … enjoyed the experience. Christine Worthington … Excited about doing something “different” … a little nervous to start and sixty seconds isn’t long to get “settled”! But I did enjoy the challenge. Thanks! Paul Yates … I feel really disappointed and ashamed of myself as my nerves got the better of me (and they shouldn’t have!) Catherine Cocklyn … Nerve wracking! Over very quickly. Fun and exhilarating (nearly as exciting as a skydive and almost as quick!) Richard Alker … Felt relaxed and encouraged. Not enough time, but got across most of what I wanted to say, great people. Overall, glad I came and hope to see you soon. David Howard … What a great experience and a novel idea to allow the people of Lancashire to present on BBC Radio Lancashire. All the best to the person with “the gift”! Johny Pep … it’s all a bit of showbiz fun! Gillian Kavanagh … Very friendly and professional team. Tony made me feel really welcome and put me at ease – he was great. Everyone is relaxed, friendly and professional. Many thanks for your care as I was nervous! Sarah Evans … Exciting … felt a bit daunting, glad I’d prepared. All the team lovely and welcoming. A fun experience. Kath Fairburn … I was surprised at how at ease the panel made me feel. Enjoyed it very much. Thanks for the opportunity. Chris Maguire … I’ve spoken in front of 300 people (regularly) and not got nervous. This was more daunting. Felt like I should sing a song. Probably just as well I didn’t! Roll on “X Factor”! Colin Whitely … Still on cloud nine. Feel a lot better now I’ve done the interview. Hope I was ok. Sarah Walby … What a fantastic experience, everyone is so friendly and kind and put me at ease. I felt like I knew them all. Top stuff! John Isherwood … I thoroughly enjoyed the process, the judges were wonderful people who were accommodating and made me feel relaxed. If this opportunity arises again, I’d definitely recommend it to anybody. Top stuff from the BBC. Janet Baron … made me feel at home – a little easier than I felt when I went in. Friendly too! Thanks. Jim Whelan … Nice people (what a crawler) … enjoyed it! Stephen Lowe … Fantastic! I am still shaking. The people at BBC Radio Lancashire have made the whole experience very pleasurable indeed. Thank you. John Burns … That was a most fantastic sixty seconds. The fact that the panel laughed hopefully means that I have made an impression. Regardless, it was very worthwhile. Thanks for the opportunity. ------ Coming soon! Pictures of the choosen few and Presenter School! | 
