Tuesday 9th April

Nick Bailey

From Radio Caroline to Classic FM

Nick started his career as a newsreader on Radio Caroline in 1966, and subsequently worked in Australia for five years, before joining the British Forces Broadcasting Service where he served in Gibraltar, Cologne, Berlin, and Hong Kong. He then joined Radio Television Hong Kong and co-hosted the morning current affairs programme for five years before coming back to the UK where he was the launch presenter for Classic FM in 1992. He remained with the station for twenty five years before leaving in 2017 on Classic FM's 25th anniversary. He is the son of the late actor Robin Bailey.

Nick Bailey

Appreciation by David Saunders

I knew that when the broadcaster Nick Bailey came on board to speak to us we would have an enjoyable and entertaining evening, and so it proved.

Nick was engaging and most personable with his well-known mellifluous voice and charming character.

He told us many tales, from his youthful start on Radio Caroline through his years of travel and on to his eventual twenty-five-year stint on Classic FM from 1992 to 2017—all as laid out in his accompanying book "Across The Waves".

It was a great pleasure to welcome him to talk.

Images

Nick is the son of the late actor Robin Bailey Although he said he doesn't resemble his father, there is a bit of a likeness.


Nick's voice was the first to be heard on Classic FM, and we heard him introduce the very first record, 'Zadok The Priest'.

Nick in the Classic FM studio. He recalled showing round the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whom he found 'refreshing'.

In the second half Nick moved closer for a relaxed chat with us, and answered our questions about radio broadcasting.

Nick told us about audience figures, how they are calculated, how the music is scheduled and the modern technology behind it. He said Classic FM sees its main competition as BBC Radio 4, not Radio 3.

LMS President Neil Crutchley, Nick, and LMS Chairman David Fisher

Explore

Autobiography

Nick brought copies of his entertaining autobiography 'Across the Waves', which those present were able to buy (and have autographed!) at a substantial discount. Click the image to buy from York Book Shop.

Links

Nick at Classic FM

Learn more about Nick's latest ventures at www.nickbaileyradio.com.

Nick now works for Boom Light, the sister station of Boom Radio, where he presents a weekly programme on Sunday mornings between 10 and 12. Boom Radio is available directly from its website over the internet, on smart speakers like Alexa, on smartphones and tablets via the Boom Radio App, and on smart TVs.