Spotlight On CCG Members :- John Gillmore AKA Gilly
Oct, 5 2017
~~The things we appreciate and enjoy as children such as watching films and listening to the radio can sometimes lead to a career in such leisure activities as an adult. This month’s ‘Spotlight on CCG Members’ has managed to achieve the latter and has since carved an established role within the radio remit. We welcome, presenter and broadcaster John Gillmore AKA Gilly.
Gilly began his interest in radio at just 11 years of age having heard BBC Radio Merseyside and thinking “I would love to work there when I leave school.” It took a considerable number of years before he reached his goal and he had an initial false start when he worked at his local bank in St. Helens immediately after completing his high school years. Gilly didn’t give up hope though and once he was done with the bank he began a period of voluntary work with his local hospital radio station at Whiston.
As Gilly was learning the ropes to become a professional disc jockey he was balancing his time by sending off a series of demo tapes to radio stations across the North West of England. His persistence paid off and he finally secured a place at Red Rose Radio in Preston in which he remained for a period of 13 years. He was an instant success with his quick wit and very listenable presentation skills. By 1998 he was ready to move on to pastures new and set up presenting shows at The Bay in Lancaster in which he radically tried his hand at every timeslot on the station and delivering the highest audience figures ever for the mid-morning show.
Seven years later Gilly joined BBC Radio Lancashire in July 2005. Gilly’s taste in music ‘off air’ is very much a complement to the music played on Radio Lancs. His all time favourite track is Wonderful Tonight’ by the legendary Eric Clapton.
Aside from playing and introducing the classics throughout the generations, Gilly has managed to break his own records. In 2014 Gilly smashed a Guinness World Record for the most number of face-to-face interviews on the radio in 24hours, beating the previous record by 37. He did 293 interviews, asking 1648 questions.
Outside of the radio booth Gilly is a keen walker and photographer. He also enjoys competing with his friends and family at ten pin bowling, although he bravely admits that he needs the lane bumpers in place to help him get big scores!
Gilly is also a former Tourism Superstar winner an award voted for by members of the public and organised by Marketing Lancashire.
In 2017, Gilly currently resides at the hugely popular 12-4pm programme Monday to Friday, including the popular outside broadcast feature he does as part of the programme and the popular ‘Intimate Afternoons’ from the Radio Theatre with a live studio audience. Gilly also presents Saturday Breakfast 6-10am.
As in true UK Top 40 style we hope Gilly is our number 1 supporter of all things CCG related. Welcome.
^Alex Ashworth
