West FM

Alan Shaw Q&A

Name: Alan Shaw
 
Age: 35
 
Five things we don’t know about you:

• I love to holiday at Disney. I know, I’m just a big kid!
• I’m a DIY disaster.  If something needs done on the car or in the house I always like to have a go – but usually end up having to pay a professional to come and put things right.
• I’m a kitchen disaster.  Every time I try to cook, my food usually ends up in flames meaning a visit to the takeaway place.
• I won a medal for sporting achievement when I was at school, despite coming last in everything.  I think they gave it to me just for turning up.
• I went to see TV show ‘Most Haunted’ being filmed once and can be seen on one of their DVDs.  I wasn’t pretending to be a ghost though.

Career History:

I was still at school when I got bitten by the radio bug, which led to me applying to join my local hospital radio at the age of 16.  By the time I was 18, I was working with a community radio station which only broadcast for a couple of weeks a year so I spent the rest of my time working for a company who made fact sheets for various STV programmes (if you ever ordered a copy of one from ‘Scottish Passport’ or ‘The Home Show’, it may have been me who put it together!) In 1997, shortly after West FM had launched, there was a vacancy for a presenter to give the evening show a ‘younger’ sound which I applied for and got!  Since then, I’ve presented almost every show on the radio station at one point or another as well as working behind the scenes in production.
 
Career highlight to date:

Being asked to take over the West FM Afternoon Show.  It’s great to know that I’m part of people’s daily routine as they make their way home from work and school.  I love the interaction with listeners as well as they’re always up for a laugh and never shy when it comes to telling me if I’m talking rubbish!
 
Your favourite Scottish event of the year?

It has to be Hogmanay.  Although they celebrate it across the world, nobody parties like we do in Scotland!
 
If you could change one thing about Ayrshire what would it be?

I’m very tempted to say the weather although, when I think about it, every time it snows in winter we normally miss the worst of it in Ayrshire.  So maybe it’s not so bad after all.
 
What gives Ayrshire its edge?

Ayrshire has everything you would expect to find in a big city, without the hassle of actually being in a big city.  And as a bonus we get to live next to some amazing scenery.
 
What is your favourite band/music act of all time and why?

That’s a tough one to answer as I tend to obsess over a particular band or artist for a while then move onto the next!  But I’d definitely say Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga have been favourites over the last few years and lately I’ve started to get back into rock music, with bands like Biffy Clyro and The Script taking up a lot of time in my CD player. 
 
Which fashion accessory could you not live without?

Fashion?  Me?  I’m just happy if I remember to get fully dressed in the morning.
 
What is Ayrshire best kept secret?

The fact that it’s home to legends such as Sidney Devine and Glen Michael. 
 
Favourite childhood memory?

Holidaying at the beach in my dad’s camper van, back in the days when you could drive it right onto the sand! 
 
Clubbing in Ayrshire – where’s hot?

My front room.  Okay, so it’s not exactly a nightclub but it’s the only place that you’ll catch me dancing.

Who is your favourite celebrity and why?

The Stig from Top Gear.  Because he looks cool and gets to drive some amazing cars, although it spoils it when the person behind the like mask writes a book.  I prefer celebrities who are anonymous.

Who is the most interesting person you have interviewed and why?

I’ve interviewed international pop stars, up and coming acts and local dignitaries but some of the most interesting people I speak to are West FM’s listeners. I love finding out about people and everyone has a tale to tell. 
 
If we gave you £1k what would you spend it on?

Are you going to give me £1K if I give a good answer?  The impulsive part of me would splash out on a holiday – but the rational part of my brain would say put it aside for a rainy day.  In reality, I’d probably end up spending it on petrol.
 
Why do you love your job?

I get to combine my love of music with something I always wanted to do, being a radio presenter.  Add to that the fantastic listeners we have who always love to get involved in the shows and the amazing team of people I work with at West FM and I wouldn’t want to do anything else!

If you were not a presenter on West FM what would your dream job be?

I’d love to be a presenter on either Top Gear or Mythbusters. 
 
What do you do to relax?

I like to watch some of my comedy DVDs, as I’m a big fan of stand-ups like Billy Connolly, Ross Noble and Bill Bailey. 
 
What excites you?

Looking forward to going away on holiday! 
 
What do you love most about your life?

I get to do a job I love, work with a great team and get to meet loads of amazing people!
 
 

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