Rob Polland

My love affair with radio began way back in 1962, when, for Christmas, I was given the smallest transistor radio you’ve ever seen.

That night, I went to bed at eight as usual, pulled the little radio out from under the covers, slipped in my single earpiece — no stereo in those days! — and tuned into Radio Luxembourg.

Then a presenter called Barry Aldiss came on air. Some of you of a certain age may remember him.

And that was it.

The fuse was lit. My love for radio had begun.

Music has always been a huge part of my life, so combining music and radio was almost inevitable. I started out in hospital radio many moons ago and, over the years, moved through various stations before eventually finding my way into the world of internet radio.

I genuinely believe internet radio is an exciting part of the future of broadcasting. It gives presenters the opportunity to create programmes with personality, freedom and, most importantly, a real love of music.

I’m also a bit of a traditionalist. I still believe in radio the way it used to be — great music, good links, personality and a presenter who sounds like they actually want to be there.

One of my heroes has always been Sir Terry Wogan. If I can ever become just a tiny fraction as good as Terry, I’ll be a very happy man.

Although, having said that...

Give me another couple of years and I might be nearly good at it!