James Denmead

Many people gain a lifelong taste for Radio following a studio tour, and James is no exception! In the early 1990’s he was shown around GWR in Bristol. Back then, the weekend morning shows had a character named Hungry Howard who went out and about on the streets with a weekly challenge. James managed to become a regular on the GWR team in both Bristol and Wiltshire, stepping in on occasion with on-air commentary whenever Hungry Howard had more important things on his mind, like abseiling from Clifton Suspension Bridge – or being driven around a racetrack by a stunt driver.

When GWR needed a weekend technical operator, James was first choice and spent many hours locked away in GWR in Swindon playing out pre-recorded programming and arranging the split adverts for live studio and outside broadcasts. In between his paid radio work, James also helped out at Sunshine Hospital Radio in the Weston General Hospital, along with various RSL stations in Portishead and Clevedon. He also ran his own Mobile Disco providing entertainment for parties of all sizes and was a resident DJ at a busy fun pub in Weston super Mare.

James moved on to work on the Roadshows for GWR, and could be found operating the PA at many events from a school fete, to car launches on Garage Forecourts, including the big events like Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – RAF Fairford Airshows – Badminton Horse Trials – and Truck Fest to name just a few. For a 3 year period he was also the voice for the Bristol Leisure and Motor Show.

If you were to ask James what his most interesting job interview has been he would say “In the back of a light aircraft between Bristol and Biggin Hill” – James went up for a flight with then traffic reporter and manager for Metro Networks Joe McGrath. After landing at Biggin Hill was told that, as he wasn’t air sick, he could he start on Monday!

James continues to provide voice-over services for radio stations and voices corporate presentations around the globe using his home studio.