THE MAD AXEMAN
When the Pebble Mill Radio Studios were being built someone forgot to install a visual alarm so that people broadcasting in soundproof areas would be made aware of any emergency and respond accordingly. One afternoon I was presenting the scheduled show alone in studio 1 when I looked up to see a Fireman complete with helmet and an axe waving at me through the control room window. Apparently there was a fire alarm and I was the only person who was not aware of it. Actually it turned out to be a false alarm and I refused to leave my post and kept on the air but soon flashing alarms were installed throughout the area for future safety!
On another occasion we were all evacuated from the building and as we trooped out we became aware that we were being filmed…..it was for a programme about how quickly
a building could be evacuated…..we were not best pleased.
Coming down from the 7th floor restaurant one afternoon I walked into a lift and was told to ‘carry on, behave quite normally’ A silent sequence was being filmed for some drama for TV and I had to stand next to a famous actor until we reached the required floor. I never saw my appearance!
I remember listening to Pete, and always looked forward to his shows. I’ll never understand why he went off air. He was a breath of fresh air.