Alex Poole

The Night Watchman
Thursday 11:00 pm - 1:00 am

I'm a thoroughly local person who's moved over the border from Surrey to Sussex - an epic journey that few survive. I've brought with me a genuine passion for both music and radio, and feel privileged to be able to put these together by doing a show on Meridian FM. I guess I've had the radio bug ever since I was a kid. I'm an only child but I always had a radio in my room to keep me company, listening to the likes of John Peel, Greg Edwards and Mike Allen.

As for my show (and how cool is it that I can say that?) the idea is to bring together some late night music of all flavours - from credible pop and rock through to more niche stuff like hip hop, soul/neo-soul, disco, and house beat - and mix it up with that 'warm' FM sound. I just love the fact that I can reach local people in their homes and cars with my favourite music. Radio's great. And of course it's worth it even if there's only one kid listening, right?

Life before Meridian fm - what were you up to?
Busting wheelies, arguing with plants, drawing on cereal packets.

The first music track I bought was…
The theme from Howards Way (12-inch Larry Levan dance remix)

The first music track I ever bought (see above).

Which song sums up your journey so far?
Move on up, Curtis Mayfield.

A day at the races or a night at the opera?
Why can't we have both? Lingfield racecourse is only 50 minutes away from London by rail.

I wish I had invented…
The everlasting beer can. Or should that be the self-completing questionnaire?

The invite says fancy dress, who are you going as?
Scruffy McGuffy from Grange Hill.

Ah, there's the receipt - what are you returning and what do you want instead?
Empty promises for dreams come true.

What song have you listened to the most?
The Birdie Song by The Tweets - because I'm still trying to work out what it's about. There's a message in there somewhere.

I hate to ask...but whose autograph did you insist on getting?
Shaw Taylor from 'Police 5' at Gatwick Airport. That's one big fish that wasn't gonna get away. Oh no. And he's a gentleman. Very well dressed.

Which song do you wish you'd written?
White Christmas by Irving Berlin - then I could have all those royalties and buy a new caravan. Made out of gold.

It's my round - what are you having?
Love on the rocks. No ice.

Je ne regrette rien - et vous?
Not speaking French.

We've been a great audience - how will you send us home smiling?
Leave 'em with a song. It's a showbiz basic. And with my voice I'll leave 'em laughing too.

My philosophy on life in one word is…
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (you did say one word).

I have taken part in an extreme sport… (If not, which would you consider doing?)
Radio presenting IS an extreme sport, and I'll do anything once.

If I could invite anyone, living or dead, to dinner for some great conversation I would ask…
I'd choose the living person - the non-deceased tend to make for better conversation.