Key 103's Paul Lockitt.
During writing and production it was clear that "Jesus is a City Fan" was a Manchester story at heart and so it was essential to get that Manchester feel particularly in the news audio. Paul Lockitt has been the unmistakable voice of Manchester radio news for many years. After a stint in the merchant navy it appears he returned to find his true vocation as a brew boy moving on to journalism. He was the winner of the IRN national newsreader of the year award for three years running and is currently head of news at Key 103 Manchester. We approached Paul about helping us with the project and from the very first he has been helpful and enthusiastic and we are eternally grateful for the few lines but massive role he plays.
Where were you born?:
Salford. The area was Lower Broughton and my Mum thought we'd gone up in the world when we moved the Higher Broughton! It was a typical Coronation Street-style terraced house and I'd probably still be living there like Ken Barlow but they pulled it down. I used to think Heaton Park was the countryside!
Which school did you go to?:
Salford Grammar (now Buile Hill High) and it would've looked impressive on my CV if I hadn't misspelled the word Grammar when applying for about a dozen jobs.
What did you do before radio?:
I tried to follow a family tradition and left home to join the Merchant Navy. The training camp was in Kent and I arrived on a Monday afternoon but I was home again by Wednesday. It was around the same time as the Village People's song 'In the Navy' - say no more!
What was your first job in radio?:
I was a cross between a Broadcast Assistant and a Technical Operator earning the nickname B.O. for short. It taught me how to make great tea.
What sort of music do you enjoy?:
I became very disillusioned with music when the Spice Girls split and that's when I started writing and singing my own songs. It began with 'Anna Kornikova (Can I Kiss You All Over)' and there have been about two dozen to date. Still trying to break America.
Who's the biggest showbiz name in your contacts book?:
When I was a showbiz producer I had loads of mega-stars in my black book but they've all changed their numbers since. The most unusual is EMU. When Rod Hull died I just crossed out his name and kept his number. I've never tried ringing it, though.
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