A weekly feature on the lives and loves of people from our city.
My day: No two days are ever the same in radio, apart from the fact that my first alarm goes off at 4.20am. There then follows a series of snoozes until I drag myself out of bed. On the way into work I stop off to buy a selection of newspapers and arrive at the studios in time to skim-read them all, turn on the computers and make a cup of tea.
The show starts at 6am and is a mix of, hopefully, what busy people want and need to know as they rush around beginning their day. Music of course is a key ingredient – songs old and new that people know and love. Also in the mix is local information, news, travel updates, having some fun with various topics and some regular competitions. In the final hour we like to discuss issues on anything from local events to the law.
The show ends at 10am; after that I spend some time getting the show ready for the following day: getting items ready, producing audio, arranging interviews, various admin tasks and keeping up to date with emails, tweets, Facebook messages etc, and researching any additional shows (for example my Tuesday night 80s show on Dee on DAB).
Also I help arranging outdoor promotions and events. This involves a fair amount of preparatory work, booking staff, making arrangements about the places we are going to see and making sure Chester the Cat is available!
Dress: One of the many great things about radio is that no one can see you! So jeans and a T-shirt it is in the studio. Although I do have a suit for when I am required to do ‘smart’.
What is the favourite part of your job? Being on the air is pretty special – radio is a unique medium in which people let you into their lives and listen to what you're saying. It’s also great to get a response from people over something you have done on the air .
What is the least favourite part of your job? Apart from getting up at a ridiculous hour, it’s when the computers go wrong. The technical side of radio has changed so much in the last 15 years or so, the advent of computerised playout systems has made things easier in many ways, but when computers go wrong, boy, do they go wrong! We always have a couple of CDs on standby, just in case.
What would be your dream job if you weren't doing what you do now? I am actually lucky enough to be doing my dream job, but if I wasn't doing this then I would enjoy being an estate agent . After all, who doesn't enjoy having a nosey around other people's houses?
How do you relax when you are not working? I love the soaps and anything historical on the TV. I enjoy getting out and about when I’m not working, especially seaside places etc round the UK or having a day or two away somewhere completely different; I don't do that anywhere near as much as I would like to.
What is your favourite film? My top three favourite films are The Shawshank Redemption, Educating Rita and Dead Poets Society.
What is your favourite book?I am not a great book reader, but I do enjoy anything by Bill Bryson, a great descriptive writer with a humorous edge – like great radio but on paper.
What is your favourite song? Impossible to answer. I keep saying I will put together my all-time top 20, but have been putting it off for years.
If a film was made of your life, who would you like to play you? The consensus of opinion is that it should be Danny Dyer! He would bring out the bad boy in me . He’s from near where my family originate from as well.
FACT FILE:
Name: Gavin Matthews
Job: Weekday breakfast show presenter on Chester's Dee 106.3 and Dee on DAB
Born: Essex
Live now: North Wales
Education: After A-levels at sixth form in Essex I went to Leicester University and graduated with a BA Hons degree in history
We want to hear from people from all walks of life – to take part, email jo.henwood@trinitymirror.com or fill out the form below:
