My Life In Media: Matthew Bannister

Matthew Bannister, 47, presents Radio Five Live's late night show. Born in Sheffield, he went on - via diversions studying law and in the theatre - to join local radio and the BBC. He is married to Shelagh and has two children.

What inspired you to embark on a career in the media?

My father introduced me to the delights of radio comedy - he had tapes of The Goon Show, The Navy Lark and Hancock's Half-Hour that I listened to again and again. After university, I was offered a place to study theatre directing on a grant of £900 a year, and a trainee-reporter contract at Radio Nottingham on £3,000 a year. The BBC headed notepaper and money won out.

When you were 15 years old, what was the family newspaper and did you read it?

My father was a committed Guardian reader, but I was more interested in Sounds and Melody Maker.

What were you favourite TV and radio programmes?

I loved The Old Grey Whistle Test, Monty Python's Flying Circus and The Morecambe and Wise Show on TV. On radio, it was John Peel, of course, and Noel Edmonds' Sunday show on Radio 1; the Today programme with John Timpson and Jack De Manio, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Radio Active on BBC Radio 4. At university, I listened to Kid Jensen on Radio Trent, and when I moved to London it was Roger Scott and Nicky Horne on Capital, Brian Hayes on LBC.

What's the first media you turn to in the mornings?

Victoria Derbyshire on Radio Five Live. As I work late, it's my breakfast show.

Do you consult any media sources during the working day?

I listen to Five Live, watch BBC News 24 and Sky News, flick through the papers and use the BBC News website.

What is the best thing about your job?

The amazingly inventive feedback we get from listeners.

And the worst?

Operating on a different timetable from the rest of the world.

What's the proudest achievement in your working life?

Changing Radio 1 from a middle-aged radio station to a champion of new music, particularly the major role it played in the success of Britpop and the UK dance scene in the 1990s. I think that the best programme that I ever commissioned was Chris Morris's Blue Jam.

And most embarrassing moment?

Oversleeping when I was due to read the 6.30am news bulletin on Radio 1. I woke up at 6.29 and switched on the radio to see what would happen. Fortunately, the Radio 2 newsreader stepped into the breach. I've never been late for a broadcast since.

At home, what do you tune in to?

Five Live on weekdays; Jonathan Ross on Radio 2 on Saturdays; The Archers, Desert Island Discs and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue on Radio 4 on Sundays.

What is your Sunday paper? And do you have a favourite magazine?

The minimum would be The Observer, Sunday Telegraph, News of the World and Sunday Times Culture section. My favourite magazines are Word and GQ.

Name the one career ambition you want to realise before you retire

To be on Desert Island Discs.

If you didn't work in the media what would you do?

There's nothing else I'd rather do.

Who in the media do you most admire and why?

Chris Morris for slashing away at the hypocrisy of it all; Jonathan Ross for his brilliant reinvention of himself; and John Birt for dragging the BBC kicking and screaming into the digital age.

Interview by Oliver Duff

CV

1978: Joins Radio Nottingham as a reporter. Presents the breakfast programme.

1981: Joins London's Capital Radio as a reporter and news presenter.

1983: Joins Radio 1 as a reporter.

1985: Returns to Capital as head of news and talks, launching the award-winning The Way It Is, and Chris Tarrant's breakfast show.

1988: Becomes managing editor of BBC Radio London. Gives breaks to Chris Evans, Chris Morris and Danny Baker.

1991: A friend of John Birt, he develops the BBC's campaign for Royal Charter renewal.

1993: Appointed controller of Radio 1 and makes radical changes, including departure of ageing DJs. Recruits Chris Evans.

1998: Leaves Radio 1 to concentrate on directorship of BBC Radio. Becomes chief executive of BBC Production.

2000: Greg Dyke beats him to the post of director-general. He is appointed director of marketing and communications, but resigns in October. Becomes chairman of Trust the DJ, a agency and label for dance-music DJs.

2002: Rejoins BBC, presents Weekend News on Five Live, and now the Late Night show.