Bill Buckley (radio presenter)
Bill Buckley is a presenter on London talk radio station LBC 97.3.
Career
Bill’s big broadcasting break came in 1982. While working as a newspaper reporter in his native West Midlands, he was chosen from thousands of hopefuls to present the celebrated consumer programme, That’s Life, on BBC1 with Esther Rantzen. His mother had entered him for the job without his knowing.
After three years, he left to become a reporter for the BBC’s Holiday Programme, and spent the next six years travelling the world. Other TV appearances include Call My Bluff, Blankety Blank, All Star Secrets, Songs of Praise, Children in Need, and a huge variety of regional work in the south for Meridian Television on subjects as diverse as consumer affairs, politics and amateur film-making.
From 1989, almost without pause, he has also managed to fit in presenting daily radio shows for numerous commercial and BBC stations in the South, London and Manchester.
Bill’s acting experience includes playing Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at Leatherhead, touring in the black comedy Widow’s Weeds, and starring in numerous pantomimes. Last Christmas, for example, he played King in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, Brighton with 60s icon Twiggy and Peak Practice’s Simon Shepherd.
Bill was senior announcer for Channel 5 Television from its launch until two years ago. His irreverent style proved influential throughout the industry. Bill is particularly proud to have written a hit song. He provided both the words and music for Su Pollard’s number two hit single, Starting Together. Back to the present and, on top of his radio commitments, Bill regularly finds time to review the national Press on “Breakfast” on BBC2 and on BBC News 24.
LBC Radio Show
Bill’s voice should be particularly familiar to LBC 97.3’s listeners because he has filled in for many of the station’s presenters for several years now. Needless to say, he is delighted to have a show of his own, once again, and hopes to bring laughter, interest and maybe even the odd moment of controversy to the wee small hours. You can hear him (and call him!) every Friday morning between 12.00 and 5.00, and on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 1.00 until 6.00.
Bill's presenting style is genial and relaxed. He is notable for enjoying 'singalongs' with listeners who call in, having a broad knowledge of contemporary and classical music. Indeed, the show is introduced by the rousing strains of Level 42's hit single,'Something About You'. Bill's show often delves nostaligically into the recent past - for example, reminding listeners of confectionary and beverages of old. He is well-known for his pernickety use of correct grammar and will often jump onto any mistake a caller makes.
Come Dine With Me
Last September, Bill was seen for a whole week on Channel 4, competing in the reality cookery and entertaining show, Come Dine with Me. Bill had originally applied for the second series of Gordon Ramsay's 'Hell's Kitchen', but his details were passed onto the production team behind Come Dine With Me - and Bill found himself the surprise celebrity participant in this programme. Bill was characteristically amiable and mild-mannered on Come Dine With Me, in contrast to some rather irascible fellow contestants. Most of all, though, it was his fine cookery which led him to victory - something he has acknowledged with typical modesty. He has previously cooked on the Carlton Food Network and live on Channel 5 on Open House with Gloria Hunniford. He has been cookery editor of a magazine and last year was elected to the prestigious Guild of Food Writers. Bill is a near-professional chef, and says that the one thing he would salvage in a fire would be his treasured 'recipe box'.