大象传媒

Richard began freelance writing in 1969 and freelance broadcasting in 1983. His radio and television work includes news, documentary and feature work, as well as straight forward presenting.

Richard retired from British Rail on his 50th birthday and became a regular 大象传媒 Radio presenter hosting extremely successful phone-in chat shows.

He created and co-wrote the pilot for a comedy series called 'Oh Doctor Beeching' with the Dad's Army scriptwriter David Croft, OBE.听 The pilot became a series of 19 more episodes which were shown on 大象传媒 television.听 It's still being seen around the world.

Richard writes monologues (some of which have been put to music, recorded as songs and performed) and has sold thousands of cassettes of them throughout the country.

In the 2000 Birthday Honours List, Richard was created a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for Services to Regional and Local Radio Broadcasting.

Richard has a 'fan club' with hundreds of paid up members and tours a one-man-show.听 He also plays the piano.

Richard has been married for over 40 years and has a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.听 He lives in a village between Cambridge and Royston.

His other interests include veteran and classic cars and antique weapons.

Fact file

Starsign: Gemini

Grew up in: Nottinghamshire

First job: Signal-Box Boy at Colwick North Junction

First car: 1936 Ford Ten (CRA 585)

First ever record: 鈥楧iana鈥� by Paul Anka (Cost 23pence!)

Favourite things

Place in Suffolk: 46 Berners Street Ipswich (our first little home)

Item in wardrobe: A dinner suit I had made when I had a 24鈥� waist (I aspire to wear it again YET! - some hopes)

Food: Tripe and onions (which my wife appears to have forgotten how to make)

Song: 鈥楢n American Trilogy鈥� by 鈥楾he King鈥�

Film: 鈥楬igh Noon鈥� (because of the magnificent acting of Gary Cooper, who did most of it with his eyes)

TV Show as an adult: 鈥橠ads鈥� Army鈥� by the 鈥橫asters鈥� Croft and Perry

TV Show as a child: Never watched. I was 17 before we had a television in the house (and THAT was too early!)

Colour: Purple听 (for some reason)

Best moment on air: EVERY moment!

Worst moment on air: There haven't BEEN any - by definition - see above