I love these discussions on here, they're brilliant.
I usually have a good ear for spotting good presenters that will go on to be the flagship presenters of the station.
All of which pretty much got slagged off by people at first, usually because people don't like change.
Belfield has gained me as a listener on a morning because, to be fair, everything else in the area is bland. Look at the schedule listings for stations across West Yorkshire, it's all bland, boring 'run of the mill' stuff you can hear anywhere.
The fact were talking about this here goes to show, he's gaining presence in the area, exactly the same as Foster did at BBC Sheffield originally.
Well I'm usually no fan of threads that slag off individuals because an OP simpley doesn't like them. But this is different.
He was making lewd comments in the middle of the morning, and much of his previous links left a lot to be desired too.
Sure, there are some who will think his style is witty or funny. And I accept that Belfield has an ego to equal the size of Moyles.
But the difference is, there's no hint of radio "genius" as there is with some of the other presenters you've mentioned. If you look at his CV, he's worked for loads of radio stations. Often for short periods of time.
add me to the list of people who can't stand the man. and i am not a prude and i hate boring radio - but i agree that he is just rude, banal and thick as two short planks.
I did listen to Andrew and Georgy in the mornings despite not being able to abide her cackle, mostly for local traffic and travel (othewise I listen to FiveLive) - didn't particulary rate either of them but i must admit the way they read out the long long lists of school closures without complaining , realising this is part of the service of public service broadcasting, does not compare with the school boy like attitude of Belfied whose dismissive, inconsiderate attitude at having to do this, as if it was all beneath him, says a lot about the man himself.
:mad:
I love these discussions on here, they're brilliant.
I usually have a good ear for spotting good presenters that will go on to be the flagship presenters of the station.
All of which pretty much got slagged off by people at first, usually because people don't like change.
Toby Foster - BBC Sheffield, too loud, too 'in your face', more suited to commercial radio is what I heard a lot of.
Chris Moyles - BBC Radio 1, let's face it, hardly ever a good word said about him for years, but enough people listen.
Dixie (David Dixon) - Real Radio (Yorkshire), there was a small uproar from the 'average listener' when Dixon took over Breakfast from Daryl Denham. Though from the first day he covered for him on a week off, you could feel it was a better performing show. The chemistry between the two was much better, a more free flowing upbeat show with a lot more laughs. Result: Gold Sony award.
Chris Evans - BBC Radio 2, again loud and in your face, welcoming on board new listeners who would never have dreamed of listening to Wogan. The loyal listeners of Radio 2 will still hang around, like him or not, my mum is a prime example of that and she cant stand him. Result: Listener figures up.
The list can go on, but prooves you have to be different in radio, you have to be that bit more cutting edge, you have to push the boundries here and there, whether its right or wrong will show in your listner figures.
Belfield has gained me as a listener on a morning because, to be fair, everything else in the area is bland. Look at the schedule listings for stations across West Yorkshire, it's all bland, boring 'run of the mill' stuff you can hear anywhere.
The fact were talking about this here goes to show, he's gaining presence in the area, exactly the same as Foster did at BBC Sheffield originally.
Had a good listen and personally, I can't hear what all the fuss is about. I thought he sounded like he was having fun and so did the news/weather girl.
It's about time the stuffiness of local BBC Radio diversified into something a little less "old"
I find it totally laughable that this person is being mentioned in the same league as Moyles, Evens etc. He isn't good enough to make them tea, nevermind anything else
Had a good listen and personally, I can't hear what all the fuss is about. I thought he sounded like he was having fun and so did the news/weather girl.
In terms of a formal complaint to Ofcom, I can see you might not get very far.
In terms of not pissing off your audience: it would be a brave programmer of a 50+ radio station who endorsed a presenter alluding to masturbating to a TV weather presenter each morning.
There's a section of the audience who would take real offence at the idea of someone using a work colleague as porn, even more so putting that to them during a live radio show. And there's an even larger section who are likely to think 'puerile idiot' and hit scan.
I can accept it's at the milder end of the scale for Ofcom. But in customer service terms, it's absolutely imperative that the station's seen not to condone it.
I think having Alex on is a deliberate "Marmite strategy" which may pay dividends in making the station stand out from Bland FM. But you need to be very careful not to do that and then put 85 per cent in the 'hate' camp. I sometimes think he lacks the judgment to get that balance right.
I refer you to the learned Bernie Keith of BBC Northampton.
Crikey MR, I'd shamefully forgotten about Bernie Keith.
I tell you, that bloke is hilarious. I'd liken him to a cross between Les Dawson's chest lifting old women and Brucev Forsyth.
The way he can "get away" with some of his links is marvellous as he's got the same delivery as Bruce with the almost "mouthing whisper" of Les Dawson's character (I hope this translates as well I'd like it to!)
I remember him and Steve Jordan on Century 106 back-in-the-day. I heard Belfield on BBC Radio Shropshire on a Sunday afternoon earlier in the year and wasn't really struck. He just didn't sound right - perhaps it's just me.
I haven't heard the audio of the Radio Leeds incident, but it doesn't surprise me that he's been haukled over the coals. He should take a very long step back and look at those presenters who have been in the business for twice as long as him to see how they do it.
In the words of Captain Mainwaring, "Belfield, you stupid boy!"
Thanks WM. Yes, I remember Bernie's time at century too. Best thing about the station during that era. You see, there's a subtle difference between the type of humour Bernie uses (very music hall really - none of the lines are especially new) and someone who's trying so hard to be "funny" they fail at almost every attempt.
Thanks WM. Yes, I remember Bernie's time at century too. Best thing about the station during that era. You see, there's a subtle difference between the type of humour Bernie uses (very music hall really - none of the lines are especially new) and someone who's trying so hard to be "funny" they fail at almost every attempt.
That's it - Music Hall!
I agree, Century 106 that was, had a great line up and had presenters who knew what they were doing and didn't NEED to try so hard.
I'd put BBC MIdlands' Keith Middleton and Mike Wyer in the same category as you know where their line is and they'd never overstep it. I'm surprised that BBC Radio Leeds hired him to begin with as they must know that he's always been like this. I know everyone deserves a fair crack of the whip, but there's certain jocks that aren't suitable for certain types of station. One of the other threads (BBC local radio having had it's day) touched upon the demographic of the these stations and someone who's 50+ doesn't want smut like this - sure, they'll have a giggle at som e schoolboy humour, but not what Belfield has done.
Belfield doesn't belong on BBC local radio, in the same way that you wouldn't put Bernie Keith on Kerrang - the styles don't translate. Though I'd like to see Bernie do a Kerrang show just once - God only knows what would happen!!!
Not sure I'd be quite so critical of the direction BBC local radio's going at the moment if I was hoping to get back in somewhere else - he's rather limiting himself!
Not sure I'd be quite so critical of the direction BBC local radio's going at the moment if I was hoping to get back in somewhere else - he's rather limiting himself!
what's it say? Our internet blocks social networking sites!!!!
what's it say? Our internet blocks social networking sites!!!!
This is the text
Hi Guys,
Today was my last show for BBC Leeds after a year at the station.
I couldn't do this show for another 2 years as I'd planned with content I didn't believe in. The bosses made it clear they wanted me to stay but it has been obvious for months that I'm not best suited to their news styly.
Mid Morning has been great fun (as you can hear in the best bits below) but it's now under BBC News management and I'm an old turn from the north and basically a comic that likes doing great interviews.....they basically want a more serious and sensible journalist and that doesn't play to my strengths.
In truth I simply wasn't up to the job. I'm not a journalist, never have been and frankly don't want to be!
We decided it's best to shake hands and have a few pancakes! (No tosser jokes please)
Ultimately the show was the biggest success for the station in 6 years! Their figures have been in terminal decline and I was the first MM presenter to change that. I wish them well finding a show that can build on my success.
Facts - 30,000 up year on year, 6th most popular MM show in the network, 18% rise, best figures in 6 years....what more can you say other than 'Taxi'!!!
I loved my team Sue, Katy and Emma and met some wonderfully talented people at the BBC. I'll always be grateful for that.
Thank you to my darling, wonderfully kind listeners. Your notes of inspiration have kept me going through some difficult and dark times in the last year.
I love you and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it!
Comments
Good man, lets get this morning show some more publicity!
Well I'm usually no fan of threads that slag off individuals because an OP simpley doesn't like them. But this is different.
He was making lewd comments in the middle of the morning, and much of his previous links left a lot to be desired too.
Sure, there are some who will think his style is witty or funny. And I accept that Belfield has an ego to equal the size of Moyles.
But the difference is, there's no hint of radio "genius" as there is with some of the other presenters you've mentioned. If you look at his CV, he's worked for loads of radio stations. Often for short periods of time.
I did listen to Andrew and Georgy in the mornings despite not being able to abide her cackle, mostly for local traffic and travel (othewise I listen to FiveLive) - didn't particulary rate either of them but i must admit the way they read out the long long lists of school closures without complaining , realising this is part of the service of public service broadcasting, does not compare with the school boy like attitude of Belfied whose dismissive, inconsiderate attitude at having to do this, as if it was all beneath him, says a lot about the man himself.
:mad:
IF this was done as a publicity stunt - which history says is possible - it has backfired spectacularly.
I would tend to agree. You can almost hear him building up to the weather comment, which he clearly wouldn't have made if it was a male presenter.
If they're not and you want them to be, you'd better hurry up and tell them. It'll be off iPlayer soon if it isn't already.
He may not have made those specific comments to a male colleague, but he certainly does not single out female presenters.
Had a good listen and personally, I can't hear what all the fuss is about. I thought he sounded like he was having fun and so did the news/weather girl.
It's about time the stuffiness of local BBC Radio diversified into something a little less "old"
Well Done Alex.............
In terms of a formal complaint to Ofcom, I can see you might not get very far.
In terms of not pissing off your audience: it would be a brave programmer of a 50+ radio station who endorsed a presenter alluding to masturbating to a TV weather presenter each morning.
There's a section of the audience who would take real offence at the idea of someone using a work colleague as porn, even more so putting that to them during a live radio show. And there's an even larger section who are likely to think 'puerile idiot' and hit scan.
I can accept it's at the milder end of the scale for Ofcom. But in customer service terms, it's absolutely imperative that the station's seen not to condone it.
I think having Alex on is a deliberate "Marmite strategy" which may pay dividends in making the station stand out from Bland FM. But you need to be very careful not to do that and then put 85 per cent in the 'hate' camp. I sometimes think he lacks the judgment to get that balance right.
That way there would have been more laughs for the listener who was really listening and fewer (justifiable) negative comments.
Instead he wades in waving his ego round like a big stick and expecting everyone to marvel at his prowess. (See what I did there?)
I refer you to the learned Bernie Keith of BBC Northampton.
Crikey MR, I'd shamefully forgotten about Bernie Keith.
I tell you, that bloke is hilarious. I'd liken him to a cross between Les Dawson's chest lifting old women and Brucev Forsyth.
The way he can "get away" with some of his links is marvellous as he's got the same delivery as Bruce with the almost "mouthing whisper" of Les Dawson's character (I hope this translates as well I'd like it to!)
I remember him and Steve Jordan on Century 106 back-in-the-day. I heard Belfield on BBC Radio Shropshire on a Sunday afternoon earlier in the year and wasn't really struck. He just didn't sound right - perhaps it's just me.
I haven't heard the audio of the Radio Leeds incident, but it doesn't surprise me that he's been haukled over the coals. He should take a very long step back and look at those presenters who have been in the business for twice as long as him to see how they do it.
In the words of Captain Mainwaring, "Belfield, you stupid boy!"
That's it - Music Hall!
I agree, Century 106 that was, had a great line up and had presenters who knew what they were doing and didn't NEED to try so hard.
I'd put BBC MIdlands' Keith Middleton and Mike Wyer in the same category as you know where their line is and they'd never overstep it. I'm surprised that BBC Radio Leeds hired him to begin with as they must know that he's always been like this. I know everyone deserves a fair crack of the whip, but there's certain jocks that aren't suitable for certain types of station. One of the other threads (BBC local radio having had it's day) touched upon the demographic of the these stations and someone who's 50+ doesn't want smut like this - sure, they'll have a giggle at som e schoolboy humour, but not what Belfield has done.
Belfield doesn't belong on BBC local radio, in the same way that you wouldn't put Bernie Keith on Kerrang - the styles don't translate. Though I'd like to see Bernie do a Kerrang show just once - God only knows what would happen!!!
he (thankfully) hasn't been on all week. Has it been explained why?
Management might have just thought it best to keep him off for longer. Or he might just be on holiday.
Listen again to Belfield, and the way he talks - his mannerisms, his diction...
then listen to Bernie (one of Alex's heroes) - I tell you something - Belfield never used to talk like that...
Brilliantly observed. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But only if it's accurate.
Fairly full reasons here:
Not sure I'd be quite so critical of the direction BBC local radio's going at the moment if I was hoping to get back in somewhere else - he's rather limiting himself!
what's it say? Our internet blocks social networking sites!!!!
This is the text