Firstly... I AM NOT NICK ABBOT, obviously! Nick is probably too busy watching The Paramount Comedy Channel to even know that MySpace exists. I noticed 'Scottie McClue' was on 'ere - so it's only fair that his arch-nemesis should be too ;o)
Nick is the greatest phone-in host to have graced the air-waves in the UK. The story began with the inception of 'Virgin Radio' - where Nick presented the UK's first ever phone-based comedy-show. Although between bouts of controversial [Nick based his style on his hero, Neil Rogers] chit-chat he was required to play the odd ...Pink Floyd tune. The moral-guardians of the day objected to Nicks more 'racy' approach to the format.. and the complaints soon rolled in. Especially from one loathsome person in particular, who had her complaint(s) upheld. Virgin was fined a record £20,000 and Nick was moved to the early evening slot, then eventually sacked.
Some time passed and Nick was given a gig on talkRADIO, in various different incarnations. It was here that he first teamed up with his radio soul-mate, Carol McGiffin [right - what are we doin'?]. Then a particularly nasty piece of work called Kelvin McKenzie took over talkRADIO... and sacked the mainstay of the best presenters. This day has since been known as 'Black Thursday'. talkRADIO subsequently became talkSPORT.
Then came London's LBC with his partner-in-crime, Carol McGiffin. The Saturday shows consisted mainly of Carol and Nick talking among themselves - maybe taking the odd caller if they felt like it. The shows were fantastic, but unfortunately only lasted about one year. LBC's audience at the time were -you know- of a slightly older demographic and didn't exactly tune-in in their hordes.
Next up [some time down the line] came a gig on Scotland's 'Real Radio' - a show which was subsequently networked to RR Yorkshire and RR Wales. Initially Nick received a lot of bitterness from fans of the fella he replaced in said slot - along with followers of another 'presenter' who was being much touted for the position. It's a bit hazy whether Nick was actually sacked from Real Radio or whether he decided to take a extended hiatus to try his hand in the property-market...
I guess it must have been around 3 years before Nick was back doin' the phones again - this time at a much changed LBC. Initially filling in for a few presenters, then with a regular gig on Saturday nights, 10pm - 1am. He also has a music-based show on 'Planet Rock'.
Nick's style has changed somewhat over the years - especially after his Virgin stint(s) which lead to the fines etc. I personally enjoy the show as much as I ever did, but for different reasons. Nick would not be on-air had he continued with the route he adopted in his early days - that's for sure!!
Notable side-kicks for Nick over the years include:
Clint, Kev the Wondersheep, Kyle Evans, Nikki 'the psycho' newsreader, Carol (of course), Sickboy, Lady Alex and Lucy Fergusson. Nick also had memorable hand-overs with Wendy Lloyd, Mike Allen and Peter Deeley in the past.
Notable Regulars:
Elizabeth from Cheddar, Brian from Edinburgh, Rab, The Mad Baker Boy from Romford, "It's Great", Mrs Hull, Willam, Stefano, Juicy Lucy, Rufus, Zurie, Barnsworth, Michelle (Mabelle), Tallulah, Neil.com, Ade Who Can't Get Laid, Mandy, Roland from the Rhondda, Trixie... and I've drawn a blank! If I have left anyone out in the last two sections drop me a line.
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