BBC 5 live presenters return to their roots

A number of presenters on BBC Radio 5 live are returning to the area they were brought up in to reflect on local changes.

From Monday, the presenters will look at the key economic, political and cultural changes that have emerged in recent years and reflect on the changes since they lived in the area.

On Monday, Peter Allen goes back to Basildon, where he began his career as a journalist as a junior reporter at the local newspaper. Broadcasting from the local sporting village, he’ll be joined by Team GB bronze-medal-winning gymnast Max Whitlock. Peter will meet three generations of the same family who have been employed by a local tractor factory, ask if New Towns have been a success, and explore the rise of the ‘Essex Man’.

On Wednesday, Richard Bacon takes over an empty shop in Mansfield shopping centre. He goes back to the town to look at the state of the High Street in 2012. He’ll be joined by famous Mansfield resident Rebecca Adlington.

On Friday – St Andrew’s Day – Nicky Campbell is in Edinburgh looking at Scottish Independence and football finance – as well as meeting a few blasts from the past.

Later that evening and overnight, in Up All Night from 1am, Dotun Adebayo broadcasts from the Bernie Grant arts centre in Tottenham with a local audience and local MP David Lammy. Dotun retraces his old walk to school to see how his neighbourhood has changed. He’ll also host a special Tottenham flavoured World Football phone–in taking calls from around the world.

On Saturday, Stephen Nolan broadcasts from Belfast with an audience and special guests. He’ll report on the high rate of suicide amongst young men in Northern Ireland, speaking to families who have lost loved ones and counsellors who try to help.


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Posted on Wednesday, November 21st, 2012 at 5:31 pm by RadioToday Staff

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