On this morning's Virgin Radio Breakfast program they were discussing a call made to DJ Pete Mitchell's agent yesterday (4th Jan) regarding a chance to take part in a "thing" which starts tomorrow (6th Jan) and could mean he was away from the radio show for up to ten days...

Although they couldn't say what the "thing" was (for to do so would mean that the offer would be withdrawn) it was pretty obvious to me and the other listeners what it was Celeb BB.

Via a phone-in they were debating whether Pete should do this "thing" or not - unfortunately I had to turn off at about 8:30am to go to work - does anyone know what the outcome was?

Hi Phil,

I'm listening to the replay on the Virgin site at the moment, I caught the end of the show and I think Pete was still thinking about it.

I would love Pete to be on there, especially what Geoff would be saying about him being in there.

I don't suppose we will know until tomorrow morning when he is there or not?

oo great! not only someone most people have never seen, but who most outside of london have probably never even heard of (me included).

I think at least 3 million people listen every morning. Thing is I haven't heard of some of the people they're talking about, so there is someone in there for everyone.

They really are scraping the bottom of the barrel now. You say 3 million listen to him every morning (which sounds a rather optimstic estimate to me), that makes roughly 57 million that don't. I can see CBB3 being a bigger flop than the pantomime.

Well if he isn't popular he'll be out straight away, so it's not that bad. I notice on the "newest items" box they've got

Lee Chapman pulls out of 'Celeb BB'
4 Jan, 1.15pm
Ex-footballer Chapman has decided against appearing in Celebrity Big Brother.

I'd never heard of him, so I guess it's swings and roundabouts (if he was in of course). Even Pete, Geoff and the listeners said they were scraping the barrell!

EDIT:

TSA: This station broadcasts to a survey area of 48,384,000 adults (aged 15+).
Reach: It is listened to by 2,574,000 people (5%) per week.

He is a genuinely good bloke, not the normal radio DJ ego at all.

I only knew Lee Chapman because of his wife Lesley Ash, as I said I think this is going to be a bigger flop than the panto

Pete is quite amusing - he comes out with some very sweeping statements at times, so if he went into the house he may actually wind a few people up in there - particulary those with big egos.

BB Producers
Bo****ks

They're the only people who will do it. I can't believe with only one day to go they're still giving it all this "they're an explosive mix of people" crap-when it's clear they're now desperate and will take anyone they can. I mean Pete & geoff!!?? they're that desperate they're even going for local celebs now.

I wouldn't say that they were local celebs. A breakfast show host on one of the major stations is pretty national.

it may be available nationwide, but only on MW i believe. isnt available here on FM (likewise for most of the country). who listens to MW radio anymore? not many people i wouldnt think.

It still doesn't make them a "local celeb".

why? what else has he done, which people outside of London will know him for?

He was a manager and promoter for Piccadilly Radio in the "Madchester" era, a double Sony Award winner, news commentator on Sky, as well as building a loyal following in the North on Key 103. Presented a VH1 show, pundit on a Sky One football thing. That covers quite a bit

I live in London and I've never heard of him.. I've heard of James Whale though..

What's MW? I got DAB

Virgin Radio is the world's most listened to internet radio station, and it broadcasts across the UK on MW, Digital Radio, Digital Satellite, Digital Cable, via Worldspace, on the internet etc etc - so I think quite a few people outside of London will have heard of him...

Turns out he said yes, agreed terms and then was told he was being dropped last night in a call direct from Big Brother producer.

The reason being because one of the celebrities who had agreed to go in got wind of his name being put forward and said if Pete went in, this celebrity wouldn't.

In relation to people on the thread not knowing who he is - On the show this morning they said they realise they aren't top of the celebrity tree. People wouldn't know who Pete is but I'm sure they know what Virgin Radio is.

again, lots of the country fails the postcode check

no one listens to MW, a lot of the country cant get most of the DAB stations, most sky users never listen to the radio stations, most of the country cant get cable, what is worldspace?! as for the internet... hmm ok, but I suspect its only really people who can get it on FM that go and listen to it on the internet :P

Yeah i was listening this morning

Cant belive he got ditched last minute. Wonder which celeb doesnt like him?

I doubt the chav would ever had heard of him, so it cant be him.
Cant see it being Mark Bosnich or Brigitte Nelson either?

He's big in Manchester where they lived and presented radio for years. I'm sure Pete had something to do with getting the band Oasis together, which to me is more of an achievement than some of the others.

I get perfect MW reception, and it sounds better than DAB most days. Needless to say that Roberts DAB set went on eBay.

Perhaps it's Bez

I listened with interest this morning, Pete being on would have been great and given a big boost to him and the show, I'm sure. And I'm from Scotland and listen every day (nearly!) to the Virgin breakfast show, but wouldn't class him as quite a celeb.

I do question whether it was an Endemol publicity stunt, but then how many people have heard about it? Perhaps if they hadn't hinted so hard about it the objectee wouldn't have known about him and we could've had a more interesting show tonight! Ah well