Mark Watson
1. How did you get into radio?
I started as a mobile DJ in West Oxfordshire and was asked by a friend if I had heard of Hospital Radio. He took me to Radio Cherwell in Oxford and I loved it, especially as you didn’t have to carry loads of equipment around with you. They gave me lots of training and experience and loads of great memories.
2. What was your first broadcast?
The day I was being shown around Radio Cherwell, the guy who was going to read the football scores didn’t turn up so I was asked if I'd like to have a go. So I did and then presented the sports show for years and remember a keen Oxford United fan joining the team later on. Now I work with Jerome again!
3. What other jobs have you done besides broadcasting?
I was a technical apprentice at the Cowley Car factory which led to being a Welding Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Quality Control Engineer and Service Engineer. I then left to join a commercial radio station as a freelancer but had to give it up after a few years as I couldn’t make enough money at it. I then became a deputy Manager for an electrical superstore in Oxford and went on to train new salespeople to the group in London but missed my radio terribly.
4. What would you like to be if you weren’t a radio presenter?
Radio Presenting is only a small part of what I do. I love being on air on Sunday and stepping in for Phil or Alison when they are off (I make sure they get all my colds), but I'm really a technical behind the scenes person. I've recently started to take on some TV roles here at BBC Oxford so I'd like to do some more of that, especially behind the camera.
5. What would listeners be surprised to learn about you?
I sang on BBC1 at the Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall in front of the Royal Family with the Brize Norton Singers. I still have the video. I'm always being teased by my colleagues for singing along with the songs whilst I'm playing them. I love singing but am too chicken to go in for a TV show.
6. Which person would you most enjoy being stuck in a lift with?
The lift's always breaking down at BBC Oxford and I've not yet got stuck in it, although that’s a more "who wouldn’t you like to get stuck in a lift with" type question!
7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
Buy a bigger house with apartments for the children, swimming pool, snooker table, home cinema, lots of land etc. Go on a holiday around the world, buy some nice cars and furniture for the house and may be set up my own radio station or media company to keep me busy if there's any money left.
8. What is your worst habit?
Not listening to my family properly. There's always so much noise going on in our house with 2 teenagers around and I tend to tune out all the other noise to concentrate on the TV/Radio/Phone or what ever I'm doing, therefore missing key information I may be being told. The family have now got used to attracting my attention first and confirming I'm listening to them before telling me something, but I cant help but wondering if I'm missing out on some juicy gossip sometimes!
9. Tell us about your 1st:
Car: A white Mini Clubman but before that I had a Moped and a Honda 125 twin motorbike. Brilliant in the summer, not so good in the cold.
Job: A paperboy - I used to sing on the way round to pass the time and later found out I was known as The Singing Paperboy! Embarrassing.
Kiss: Apart from being slobbered over by some auntie? Err, doesn’t stand out but probably playing true, dare, kiss or promise at a party.
Record/CD: My grand-dad gave me a Dave Clark Five album when I was young which introduced me to the 60's and a few other casts offs from his Readers Digest collection, but I think the first single I brought was probably one from the local record shops cheap ex-juke box rummage box. What I can’t remember.
10. What is your favourite?
Food: Roast Turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings and a gunky chocolate Gateaux with cream to follow, washed down with some decent white wine. mmmm
Sandwich: Peanut Butter on a fresh French stick.Place in Oxfordshire: Eynsham, where I grew up and live.Item of Clothing: An old black leather jacket. It's been with me for years and still fits!
Song: Impossible to say, it changes all the time. Depends what I got for my lastbirthday/Christmas/anniversary and what's in the car.
Singer: Again I'll have to wimp out on that one. There are so many. I couldn't really narrow it down to a handful let alone one!
Film: Grease, I've seen it hundreds of times. I game myself a make over when it first came out after being inspired by Sandy to stop being a geek!
TV Show: Ant and Dec make good TV and I like thought provoking drama and sci-fi, but you can’t beat a good comedy for escaping the troubles of the day.
