In Conversation with: Peter Gordon
Peter Gordon is a local favourite; an accomplished broadcaster and performer. Best known as the Content Director, voice and face of Eagle Radio, he hosted the station’s breakfast show for 25 years! Today, Peter remains a big part of the Guildford community – hosting local events, performing in Yvonne Arnaud’s panto and doing his radio show on BBC Surrey.
Ahead of Peter’s event with us on 18 March, we caught up to find out about his broadcasting career, love of local radio, acting highlights and future plans!
How did you get into radio/broadcasting – is it something you always wanted to do?
I was always fascinated with radio as a medium – I used to listen to Terry Wogan with my parents in the 70s and loved his art of interaction. I always think radio – especially live radio – is a clever medium, it demands intelligence to a certain extent.
What do you enjoy most about local radio?
The fact that, if done properly, local radio can make a difference. Listeners are generally very loyal and can also determine pretty quickly if – in local radio – you’re the ‘real thing’. Stations pretending to be local get found out.
What’s most challenging about hosting a radio show?
For me it was just about concentration and knowing which buttons to push – once that was sorted out, it was always a pleasure!
You’ve had an impressive and long career – have there been any particular highlights?
Many – co-hosting with Dame Edna Everidge, broadcasting from St Lucia and America, meeting everyone from Paul Weller to Sting and, to be honest, to be able to do a breakfast radio show in the town I grew up in for so many years. Just a privilege and a delight.
Alongside broadcasting, you’re also an actor – can you tell us about any memorable moments?
I’ve loved all the pantomimes I’ve been in (Woking and Guildford) but also particularly enjoyed playing Falstaff in Guildford Shakespeare Company’s Merry Wives of Windsor at the Guildford Model Railway site in Stoke Park. A very special production where we all arrived on one of the trains!
Eagle Radio was a daily staple for many of us – can you tell us something about the station that people might not know?
We were a commercial radio station with a community heart – we existed to make a difference, if we could. One of our mantras (which we all signed up to) was: “We’re in the business of radio, but what we do is change people’s lives”. That was a big statement, but it drove us.
Have you got any exciting projects coming up that you can tell us about?
I am a very lucky chap really, as these days I pretty much choose what I do – there’s still some radio (BBC Surrey and V2 Radio in Sussex), but I also get to host events like Guilfest and Henley Festival alongside several others. Plus, I am hoping to be treading the boards once again in the town later this year!
What can people expect at your upcoming Q&A event with us on 18 March?
Hopefully some fun and laughter alongside thoughts and opinions of Guildford and its surrounds, including memories and stories.
If you’d like to hear more from Peter, join us for our special event with him on 18 March where you can enjoy a glass of wine, savoury snack and a light-hearted Q&A. A great opportunity to ask your questions of the man himself!
