Sean, you've been in broadcasting for nearly a quarter of a century - what's left for you to achieve personally in the business?

As a programme-maker, I’m very excited about the opportunities that online and other digital platforms represent.  In the last couple of years I’ve been working closely with a number of online businesses - one of which now has their podcast output carried on DAB every week. And I think that’s quite a significant development, because it demonstrates that if the content is strong enough, it can now flow both ways between broadcast and online. Also, research already tells us that the iPod generation spend more time online than watching TV and I think that before very long, radio may face a similar challenge.  Of course, there are still some key issues to be resolved but generally speaking, there are fewer barriers to entry online for programme-makers; complete commercial and editorial freedom; increasingly content-hungry audiences across global markets and a rapidly increasing online ad-spend. To meet that kind of challenge, I think commercial radio in particular needs to consider adding more value to it’s proposition before it gets left behind.  On its own, “…another four in a row from Yesterday’s/Today’s/[location]’s best variety of music…” may not cut the mustard for very much longer.

One thing I’d still like to have a crack at though is some form of syndicated or networked talk show. I take my hat off to TLRC for having a go with North South Divided - although in retrospect, I think perhaps the basic premise wasn’t quite strong enough because nowadays, I’m not sure there really is such a great geographical divide in British attitudes.  However, given the right formula and resources, I still think a networked show of that ilk could perform well.

In any event, I guess I’ve reached a point in my life where more than anything, I really need to enjoy the work that I do.  For me, it’s got to be stimulating and it’s got to be satisfying. It’s different when you’re starting out and driven by naked ambition but I’ve been in this industry now for almost 25 years and I no longer feel that burning desire to be on the radio above all else. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t given up or lost the radio bug. I’m still very passionate about radio and still ready to roll up my sleeves and get dirty but with age also comes perspective and I’m already very lucky to have worked with lots of gifted and inspiring people - on both sides of the studio glass - in a variety of different situations.  So whatever the future brings really, my main goal is just to do what I enjoy and enjoy what I do.

Is your World exclusive interview with Michael Jackson still your personal highlight?

It’s still the thing most people ask me about and it was an incredible (if rather surreal) experience.  Having Michael Jackson and Mohamed Al Fayed just walking in on your show at Liberty Radio unannounced isn’t the kind of thing you ever forget. However, I think I probably feel most proud of the Talk Radio Breakfast Show we did on the morning of Princess Diana’s death.  It’s still by far the most challenging thing I’ve ever done and real ‘seat of the pants’ stuff.

Nobody imagined something like that would ever happen and as a result, our resources that morning were pretty much zero. We just had to make it up as we went along, knowing that we needed to focus on our responsibility to break the news sensitively to a waking world and then to maintain a sense of dignity as we discussed the broader issues leading up to that fateful moment.

I think that having done Queen Mother obit. rehearsals every few weeks during my time at Channel 4 probably helped me find the right tone but funnily enough, I don’t really remember very much about the actual programme itself. I just know that I went home afterwards feeling wiped-out and with the headache from hell.

You've worked in music and speech radio - which do you prefer? 

Speech, without question.  Although I should really say talk because I think there’s a distinct difference between talk and speech programming. For me, talk is by far the most spontaneous, dangerous and liberating format because whether you’re talking to studio guests or callers, you can only ever plan things so far. I love the buzz but equally, the opportunity to really engage and connect with an audience. To get inside people’s heads – literally. With Irish roots, I suppose conversation’s in my genes and I’m naturally inquisitive about people, their experiences and their opinions, so perhaps it’s no surprise that talk is where my heart is.

Your voice is heard across the country on various different outlets - do you hear your voice booming out when you don't expect it?

Sometimes, yes.  Most often when I’m travelling abroad and I turn on CNN or the radio in a hotel and there I am doing a commercial or a sponsor tag that I recorded months before.  God knows, I’ve been doing it long enough but it does still feel a bit spooky.

Do you miss the buzz of a daily show on Radio or do you think the radio industry has lost some of its sparkle due to budget cuts and networking?

I do miss it because there’s nothing quite like the excitement of doing live radio without a safety net but to be honest, I just haven't found anything challenging enough to draw me back in again on a regular basis. I've had some very tempting offers in the last couple of years but none of them was quite the right thing at the right time. Radio will always be my first love though and if the right thing did come along tomorrow, I’d be there like a shot.
 
Actually, I don’t think the real issue for me is necessarily budget cuts and networking. I think it’s more about vision. Radio is still a magical and hugely powerful medium but I can’t help feeling that too often it’s only running at half whack. Maybe the industry needs a few more innovative programmers who are trusted with enough freedom to draw on their experience, follow their gut instincts and take a few more risks in order to develop fresher, bolder and more successful strategies relevant to their markets.  Sure, some ideas will bomb but others will fly and you’ll only ever find out if you try. For example, Alex Dyke’s ‘Bubblegum & Cheese’ show on Isle of Wight Radio is a great listen and people there talk about it precisely because it’s different. Just look at the station’s  reach and latest Sony Gold – they’re doing something right.

Also, I think UK radio relies perhaps a bit too heavily on consultant carpet-baggers, pedalling second-hand strategies from American and Australian radio. Yes, we may speak the same language but there are fundamental differences between our national cultures and a tactic that happens to make a station the market-leader in Cowpoke, Idaho won’t necessarily translate and do the numbers here. Ask anyone who’s ever bought a T shirt – one size fits all, doesn’t really fit anyone properly.

It’s such a tricky one but being totally self-indulgent, the long list would certainly feature people like Gerry Ryan (RTÉ 2FM), Brian Hayes, Steve Allen, Bob & Doug, Robert Elms, David Jensen, Anna Raeburn, Michael Aspel, Robbie Vincent, Janet Gershlick, Gambo, Vanessa Feltz and of course, dear old Dickin.

Which spell in your career has given you the most pleasure?