In the Hot Seat
Earliest memory? Eating Everton mints whilst out on a walk as a little girl...bizarre I know??
Favourite place?
Apart from my bed...there are loads, all preferably with a nice cold beer in my hand - the beach in the Maldives, Christies Beach in Australia, the east coast of Zanzibar...I love travelling!!!
Favourite music?
Too numerous to mention, Stereophonics to Sinatra to The Streets, Will Young to Dolly Parton....particularly loving Natasha Bedingfield at the moment
Any special qualifications/achievements that you're proud of?
Can speak bits of French, Spanish and German..well enough to order beer and food most importantly. I also ran 'Race for Life' to raise money for Cancer research earlier this year and that means the money I raised went to a great cause and I got fit into the bargain, and even surprising myself I have kept on running - Forest Gump eat your heart out!
First job? Whilst at school I worked in a hairdressers, free haircuts but bloomin' hard work being on your feet all day
Best job? Can't get much better than what I am doing at the moment.
Dream job? I would love to present Formula 1 Grand Prixs, you get to travel all around the world as well as being involved in a hugely exciting sport, I love fast cars...heaven OR Stand in for Davina on Big Brother...that must be a right laugh.
How did you get started in doing what you do?
A lot of luck was involved. I had just come back from travelling and deicded to write to all the companies I fancied working for. Went into 'Piccadilly Radio' came in for an 'informal chat' and walked out with a job!
How long ago? 10 years ago...oh my God time flies!
Best on-air moment?
Not too long ago Mike and I on Capital Gold breakfast were chatting about something, and you know when you completely lose it and are attcked by a fit of the giggles, well it happened. We were laughing that much we couldn't actually speak, I was crying I was laughing so much, my face and sides were aching...we gave up in the end and played music. We got LOADS of calls from people to tell us they ended up laughing along with us, one guy even had to pull over and stop driving he was laughing that much. It really captures for how much fun my job is and how sometimes the silliest things really perk you up and the people listening to you.
Worst on-air moment (embarrassing or otherwise)?
I was doing a Traffic and Travel bulletin live on air from The Eye in the Sky on Key 103 with Steve Penk. He had pre-arranged with the pilot that when I started my bulletin the pilot would turn into Mr Kamikaze, as he was a stunt pilot, and start throwing the plane around. Apparently it made great radio and sounded very funny but I was more worried about not swearing or losing the contents of my stomach. I had to give up the bulletin in the end as I couldn't speak for laughing, mixed in with the odd scream as the plane climbed and dropped in the sky.
Any ambitions left? Plenty...you need things to aim for in life.
Biggest influence in your life?
Definitely my parents....the keep me completely grounded.
Best advice that you've been given and why?
I remember a friend of mine who worked in radio telling me...."it's not rocket science, it's just the wireless - enjoy it
Any hobbies or special interests?
Love to travel to new places, once you get the travel bug it's very difficult to shake it off. Also enjoy running. Music - but that's a pretty obvious one.
Any advice for those who want to get started in radio?
"Be persistent, get yourself in to a station, become a promo person, make tea, answer the phones..once you are in and people get to know you they are more likely to think of you when other opportunities arise...Good Luck!"
Thanks to Debbie for answering our questions,
listen to 105.4 Century FM on Weds and Sundays.
Copyright: Debbie Ousbey/Martin Phillp 2004
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