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The Chris Ashley Q&A Interview
Exclusive to talkSPORT1089.co.uk

Chris started in radio 30 years ago with BBC Radio Brighton, and since then
he's worked on too many BBC and commercial stations to list, including
stations in Australia and New Zealand.

Chris has been very much married and as a result has lost count of his children
and step children. He also feels married to Brighton and Hove Albion, the team
he's supported all his life: "such dedication, such stupidity" says Chris!

Chris loves the music of the fifties and sixties, the best of which you can
hear on his Sunday lunchtime show on BBC Shropshire. Under the
influence of Margaret Thrower, "Greenthumbs" Ashley says he's finally
warming to gardening, although it's yet to replace his passion for concrete.

You have worked on a number of radio stations in Australia and
New Zealand, what was it that attracted you to emigrate there?
I worked for quite a few stations in Australia and New Zealand and I left the UK because I was attracted by the easy laid back lifestyle and way of life the people lead. It was better than being in the UK with all the rain and cold weather that you get for most of the year.

Was it easy getting into broadcasting in Australia and New Zealand and how similar or different was it to working in radio broadcasting in the United Kingdom?
It was quite easy to get started but you had to begin on the small country outback stations rather than the big ones. You had to work your way to the top like you do in radio and broadcasting in the UK.

Back in the UK you have worked for a large number of stations including Talk Radio and talkSPORT. How did you get your job at Talk Radio and how did you leave the station?
Jason Bryant at Talk Radio heard me on a station and hired me orignally as cover for other presenters when they had time off, ill or absent. I didn't get the boot as some people have said but actually left Talk Radio by my own accord because another station was offering me more money. It was actually a mistake in the end.

You seem to be on good terms with the management at talkSPORT as you have been asked back to cover for people and were on at Christmas. Would you say this is the case?
It was probably the case at first but I am not so sure about it now. Now, I'm probably a bit too old for the talkSPORT profile but I like presenting shows on the station when they do ask me.

You filled-in a couple of times on Tommy Boyd's Human Zoo. What were your impressions of the callers and what was it like filling-in for him on the show?
I absolutely loved doing the Human Zoo. At first it was quite daunting actually but in the end, I really enjoyed it and was a lot of fun to present. I would love to that sort of show again on talkSPORT.

It's fair to say you are a veteran of the radio industry having been in it for a number of years. How many stations have you actually worked for and what were your roles at those radio stations?
I have worked for around 20 stations in total, in the UK, both BBC and commercial, and of course abroad in Australia and New Zealand. Currently I am at BBC WM and BBC Shropshire doing regular shows including the mid-morning show and, of course, talkSPORT around Christmas time.

Out of the 20 stations you have worked for, which station was your favourite to work for and why?
My favourite radio station that I have worked for out of all of them has to be 6GE in Western Australia. It was right on the beach and we played 1970's rock music all of the time.

Have you interviewed many big names during your broadcasting career and who was your favourite?
Over the years I have interviewed quite a few people but my favourites include Ian Dury, Steve Harley and actor that plays Boycie from Only Fools & Horses.

Will Brighton & Hove Albion bounce back after last season's relegation to Division Two and can they hold on to Bobby Zamora, despite reported interest from Tottenham?
I have a bet on 11-2 now that Steve Coppell is still the boss. I believe we have a good chance with the play-offs being the main target and anything above that would be great. If Glenn Hoddle and Spurs can keep the cheque book in their pocket then I think he will stay and score the goals that will give us promotion.

Who are your favourite bands and what was the last CD you bought?
I enjoy the usual middle-age suspects: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones , The Who and Jimmi Hendrix. The last CD I bought was Pet Sounds. It was on vinyl but had to get the CD because it was knackered.

What are you currently reading and have you seen any decent films lately?
I'm reading Keep the Aspidistra Flying by George Orwell. The last film I saw at the cinema was Gladiator. As you will gather I don't go that often.

Can I pleasure your wife?
Which one?

Thanks to Chris Ashley for the chance to interview him. You can hear Chris on BBC Local Radio in the West Midlands on BBC WM and BBC Shropshire and talkSPORT at Christmas.

The Chris Ashley Q&A Interview
Chris Ashley
September 2003