JAMES MERRITT

JAMES ON HIMSELF, TALK RADIO, VIRGIN & NICK

James Merritt hosts the overnight show on Virgin Radio from Tuesday to Friday and the late show on Sunday from 10pm. He began his radio career at Virgin Megastores Radio and has worked with Nick at Talk Radio and Virgin. Read what James thinks about Nick, Talk Radio, Virgin Radio and himself in this exclusive interview.

James Merritt is 22, born in October 1976 and he currently lives in London

How and where did you first meet Nick?
Working towards my A levels was a nightmare so I used to listen to the radio, and after stumbling across Nick's show on Virgin I never left. (Though this probably didn't help my study.) Clint Bell used to work with Nick on Virgin and also ran the in-store radio service for all Virgin stores; Virgin Megastores Radio (VMR) - he used Nicks show to advertise for presenters, I applied and got the job. So, to cut it short, I met Nick at the Megastore.

When you first met him, what was he like to work with/talk to?
He probably thought I was some sort of freaky stalker because I was wearing a T-Shirt won in one of his competitions (something to do with moisturising cream!!!)

What is Nick like to work with/talk to now?
Very friendly, easy to talk to and interested in your ideas.

How would you describe Nick's character off-air?
Like anyboby, it depends on who he's talking to. I would imagine he would react differently to Kev than he would to Kelvin!

What is it about Nick's broadcasting that you admire so much?
His ability to be natural on the air.

How did Nick help you get your job at Virgin Radio?
He put my application on the right desk and said a few words to the right people.

How did you feel following Nick's sacking from Talk Radio?
It wasn't a great day...

How did Nick feel after his sacking from Talk Radio?
I don't know, but he seems to have taken it well.

Where do you think Nick's career will go from now?
Onwards and upwards.

Do you want to one day host a show like Nick's talk style?
I'd like to try it, but then there are many jobs I'd like to try.

What would be your dream job in radio?
To manage a great radio station... and it would have to be fun.

Other than Nick, what radio personalities do you admire and why?
Simon Mayo (Radio 1) - another natural on the air and Chris Evans (Virgin) - natural, and often very funny.

What is it like to work with Chris Evans?
It's the best job I've had so far.

What was your first break in radio - the one that made the difference?
VMR was the first break, Virgin was the BIG break.

What do you think about the current changes being made at Talk Radio?
Well... it's always annoying to see your favourite presenters sacked... However it's not yet possible to judge the end product - so I'll reserve judgement.

Three things you love about your current job?
Listeners, collegues and freebies.

Three things you hate about your current job?
Nutters who ring up at 3 in the morning asking for Steps or the Spice Girls and meetings at midday, so I get four hours sleep. That's about it...