John Laurie

John Laurie – Irvine Beat FM

John Laurie hosts the Sunday edition of The Mid-Morning Show 10am-12pm

How did you get into broadcasting?

I started with my own bedroom setup in my teens and my first radio gig was sending tapes into a local pirate radio station (well we didn’t have legal community radio back then!). Then hospital radio, Radio Top Shop and moved on from there to various radio stations.

Random encounter with any celebrity?

I literally bumped into (the now late) Caroline Aherne – otherwise known as Mrs Merton – in Piccadilly train station, Manchester. Neither of us were watching where we were going.

If you could interview anyone, who would it be and what question would you ask them?

Nik Kershaw so I could ask him to truly reveal what his song “The Riddle” was all about.

Music preferences / influences?

Favourite album: “The Year Of The Cat” by Al Stewart. His music makes me happy feeling miserable.

One surprising fact that your regular listeners may not know about you?

I’m a quantum mechanics geek.

Sum up Irvine in 6 words or less?

Friendly, scottish, rainy….great radio station

Which of these do you love most – Local or Music?

Local, unless I am playing an ’80s track on Irvine Beat then it’s too close to call.

Why did you get involved with Irvine Beat FM?

I liked the station and liked the people on it so decided I should be on it too and they happily agreed. 5 years later am still here somehow getting away with it. Motto for life: It’s probably all just an illusion so just enjoy the ride as best you can.