Pete Mitchell
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| Pete Mitchell | |
| Show | Pete Mitchell |
| Station(s) | BBC Radio 2 |
| Time slot | 3:00–7:00 am Sundays |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Website | Pete Mitchell |
Pete Mitchell (born in Crumpsall, Greater Manchester, England), is a presenter on BBC Radio 2. Previously he was one half of duo Pete & Geoff, who presented Virgin Radio's Breakfast show for almost three years, from the beginning of 2003 until the end of 2005.
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[edit] Early career
Pete began his career in 1986 as a sports commentator for Red Rose Radio in Lancashire. He moved to Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio in 1989 and as the station gained a new identity and become Key 103 Pete presented the popular afternoon show and developed, wrote and produced IQ, his own specialist weekend music programme. IQ featured guest interviews and live sets from both established and up-and-coming acts. He championed the indie bands of the "Madchester" scene in the early 1990s. His IQ radio show featured bands like Oasis, Inspiral Carpets, James, Badly Drawn Boy, 808 State, and Happy Mondays. Mitchell was introduced to Geoff Lloyd in the mid 1990s, by actor and writer Craig Cash, star of The Royle Family. Lloyd was an aspiring comedy writer and performer, and a fellow radio presenter. In 1996 Lloyd joined Mitchell on his afternoon radio show. The duo rapidly established a cult following with their witty and slightly risquė banter, and in 1998 won a Sony radio academy award for their show
[edit] Virgin Radio
In late 1998 they were recruited by Virgin Radio, where they took over the weekday evening show and covered Chris Evans on the Breakfast show, and again rapidly built up a significant audience. The pair took over the Drivetime show in early 2002. By 2003 they were the most popular DJs on the station and were moved to the Breakfast Show in order to increase the audience. This they did very successfully, sticking to their well-established formula of slightly risquė banter about contemporary news and culture, with Mitchell tending to play the "straight man" to the more outrageous Lloyd. Lloyd occasionally courted controversy with some of his remarks, most notoriously when he expressed willingness to eat the limbs of a dead baby to ease poverty. A complaint against the station was upheld and Lloyd was reprimanded for his comments. Nevertheless, the audience for the show remained strong, despite (or possibly because) of Lloyd's willingness to stray to the edge of acceptability with his remarks. They won another Gold Sony Radio Award for their show.
In addition to this, Mitchell took over the Saturday sports show Rock & Roll Football when Chris Evans stood down. From 2002 Mitchell also presented a weekly show on his own called Razor Cuts, (described by the NME as 'The coolest show on radio')[citation needed] where he showcased new music and interviewed many bands and artists who picked their favourite tunes. Pete has appeared on Sky News, Channel 4 ’s Top 100 Albums, Channel 5 ’s Top 100 Singles, ITV’s Madonna special, Eggheads for the BBC, Sky One ’s Hidden Secrets, Pete & Geoff’s Top 9’s for VH1 and The Royle Family for Granada / BBC - to name but a few. Pete has written regularly for the Manchester Evening News and often contributes for The Daily Star. During his career he has guest written for some of the UK’s most influential music magazines. A love of alternative music, along with a passion for funk, soul and Motown has led to various high profile appearances as a club DJ. He owns the entire Tamla Motown catalogue on vinyl. In the past Pete has DJ’d at Manchester venue, The Hacienda and more recently at Alan McGee’s Death Disco at Notting Hill Arts Club.
On 28 November 2005, the duo announced that they were splitting up and leaving the Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio. Their final show together took place on 16 December. While Geoff Lloyd remained at Virgin Radio, Pete Mitchell left to join BBC Radio 2 and 6 music.
[edit] BBC
In early 2006, Mitchell deputised for various presenters on the digital station BBC 6 Music including the breakfast show, Drivetime, the chart show, and the Dream Ticket.
Since April 2006, Mitchell has been presenting 2 shows for BBC Radio 2, early Saturday morning from 3-6am and early Sunday morning from 2-4am. His shows feature interviews with guests who choose their favourite soul records. Notable guests have included Sam Moore, John Legend, Gloria Jones, The Velvelettes, Ronnie Spector and Noddy Holder. A regular spot named Where in the World is Carmine features former Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice. American broadcaster Leslie 'Radio Chick' Gold is the show's USA correspondent. Professor Timothy English is the show's music expert and looks into plagiarism in music. He has also stood in for Alex Lester, presented Sold on Song live with Donovan, and appeared as a fan of Bob Dylan in the BBC series Imagine. He regularly deputises for Dermot O'Leary, when he takes time off for his TV projects. Pete covered Steve Wright's Afternoon Show on BBC Radio 2, 2nd January - 5th January 2007. Mitchell covered for Sarah Kennedy on the Dawn Patrol on BBC Radio 2, 15th & 17th August 2007 and 17th January 2008.
In early 2008 Mitchell produced and presented BBC Radio 2 documentaries: I'm On My Way - on Northern soul star Dean Parrish; and Spellbound - on guitarist John McGeoch who played with Magazine, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Visage and PiL amongst others.
His show on Radio 2, now goes out on Sundays only from 3-7am[1] & was currently heard covering the George Lamb show mid mornings 10-1pm on BBC 6 Music in April[2]. Toerag;the story of Liam Watson,a documentary about one of Britains most in demand record producers,presented by Mitchell, was broadcast on 3rd May at 7pm on BBC Radio 2. Watson produced 'Elephant' by the White Stripes,which went to number around the world,from his little studio in Hackney in London.
Pete can also be heard covering for Nemone (1-4pm) on 6 Music for 1 week from 29 May, and will be sitting in the 'Dark Lord's' seat for a month from mid June as Alex Lester (3-6am) takes a break on Radio 2
[edit] References
- ^ BBC - Radio 2 - Shows - Pete Mitchell
- ^ 6Music: Pete Mitchell Vs George Lamb - Radio - Digital Spy Forums
[edit] External links
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