Dave Nightingale

What item couldn’t you live without?

Years ago, I bought myself an iMac. It’s now getting to the time I got a new one because it’s getting slower and slower but it’s still so useful for everything from listening to music, to producing stuff for the station. It’s a cracking piece of kit.

What really annoys you?

People who are intolerant or ignorant. Bad driving, and people who think that the only way to deal with any issue is through aggression.

If you could choose your perfect meal, what would it be?

Having spent a terrific amount of time in Greece & Cyprus, nothing can beat a homemade Moussaka, with a fresh Greek salad, bread, Tzatziki and Taramasalata, and a chilled lager out of a chilled glass.

What’s the most bizarre music choice you have in your personal collection?

John Shuttleworth albums, a Frank Sidebottom compilation, and a compilation album featuring a cover of Chantilly Lace by Mike Reid (Frank Butcher from EastEnders) which is that bad it’s brilliant!

Why did you decide to join Rother Radio?

It was by sheer chance that I met a previous presenter at an industry event, who advised me of the station and its launch on DAB. We exchanged numbers then over time, talked in depth about me coming on board to join the team, which led to a meeting, and the rest is history.

What other radio stations have you worked on?

I was originally involved with short term RSL stations in Sheffield in the 1990s, before joining the station at the Children’s Hospital in Sheffield – which was a great launchpad for a number of presenters down the years. I then moved onto Chorley FM (yes it did exist and was real! I had 5 years there), plus WHCR in Hull, a bit of time at Real Radio in Leeds, and online oldies station Solid Gold GEM.

What’s the worst thing you have ever said during a show by accident?

I once referred to a song called Smile Please as the new single by the Fast Food Fockers! That and told listeners that my Christmas lunch one year had consisted of a wonderful and flavoursome Bernard Manning Turkey, rather than Bernard Matthews.

If a very generous listener sent you £10,000, what would you do with it?

Firstly I’d check it was legit with the station. But being serious, I’d give it to someone who really needs it, so to give them a new start or to get them back on their feet.

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?

Even though I’m known as Big Dave, it’s not always been the case. Back in 2015 I lost over half my body weight naturally in a concerted effort to change myself. For a while it did change my life, but regrettably over time, the stresses and strains of real life affected me and it went back on. Now I’d love to do it again and keep it off for the rest of my life.

Tell us a secret about yourself?

I once signed an international footballer who’d played in a World Cup semi-final for a Sunday League pub team. And if it hadn’t been for injury, we could have also signed one of his team mates from the same international squad.

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