I had a chat with Helen from Wyvern and here is what she had to say!

What is your job title and main responsibilities?

Breakfast Show Presenter – main responsibility is to provide entertainment for our listeners. It’s important to be relatable and interesting and at the same time provide them with a sense of the day so that they can feel informed and go away from the show with a smile on their face having learnt something.

Where did you begin your broadcast career?

At Heart in Birmingham. I joined the Breakfast Show as Travel Writer and Tea Girl. It was when it was Heart 100.7 Heart FM and owned by Chrysalis Radio. It was my first experience of Radio and I loved it there. I stayed for 11 years and was very lucky to have worked with some fabulously talented people and presenters. Whilst there I met some lovely celebrities and others who were not so nice too!

What made you want to work in radio?

I had never thought of a career in radio, having completed a degree in Journalism I was more inclined to go into Print journalism but having heard an advert for a travel writer on Heart, I decided to go for it and see what it was all about. I got the job and haven’t looked back since.

Where do you see the radio industry in ten years?

Sadly a lot smaller, with even less localised shows and more networking. I expect more shows to be presented by celebrities who often have little talent for radio but have better PR value, whereas really talented people previously in the jobs will sadly lose out.

What makes a good interview?

Having an interview subject that is well known always helps with interest levels or someone who has something of value to share. Nobody wants to be preached to and similarly with time being so precious in everyone’s lives , listeners don’t want to be bored to tears. Interviews in which you can listen and be informed in a useful and interesting way are always more memorable.

What has been your favourite interview and why?

Probably Davina McCall as she was so friendly and down to earth and more than being an interview, it was more of a girly chat. For usefulness I always enjoy interviewing Chefs as you always get a good tip on something you might struggle with in the kitchen.

Thinking about your radio career, what are you most proud of?

(Never having overslept in 13 years of Breakfast Radio), and winning a gold Sony for Best Breakfast Show when I worked with Daryl Denham and a Silver Sony for Best Competition this year.

If you weren’t working in radio, what do you think you would be doing?

Probably working on a newspaper or magazine somewhere as that is the original route I’d intended for my career.