John Gillmore

Location: Preston | UK

Presenter and Broadcaster John Gillmore AKA Gilly.

Gilly wanted to work in radio since the age of 11, after listening to his local radio station, BBC Radio Merseyside, and thinking “I would love to work there when I leave school.” He, initially, went to work at his local Co-operative Bank in St Helens upon leaving school, but, still bitten by the radio bug, he then spent several years as a volunteer with his local hospital radio station at Whiston.

He was persistent in sending off demo tapes to radio stations in the North West, eventually getting the chance to present for Red Rose Radio in Preston where he stayed for almost 13 years, having presented every programme on the station.  Here, he became a household name across the county, with his quick wit and very listenable presentation skills. He left in 1998 to join The Bay in Lancaster, again trying his hand at every timeslot on the station and delivering the highest audience figures ever for the mid-morning show.

Gilly joined BBC Radio Lancashire in July 2005. He now presents 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.

He likes listening to music ‘off air’ and says the blend of music played on BBC Radio Lancashire is just right for his own ear as well as the listeners. His favourite track is by Eric Clapton, ‘Wonderful Tonight’. In his spare time, he enjoys photography and ten pin bowling, although he bravely admits that he needs the lane bumpers in place to help him get big scores!

He likes walking and photography.

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.

He is also a former Tourism Superstar winner an award voted for by members of the public and organised by Marketing Lancashire.