FIRST IMPRESSIONS: NICHOLAS OWEN
What are you working on?
Apart from my Classic FM show, I’m still working for the BBC. Next year, I will have been working for 50 years.
When are you most happy?
I’ve been so lucky all my life – I’ve done a job I’ve absolutely loved.
What is your greatest fear?
Something going horribly wrong for anyone close to me. I have had my own share of medical adventures, as I call them. I had kidney cancer 11 years ago, so I am well aware that we are all mortal.
What is your earliest memory?
Being in my cot and my father in naval uniform leaning over, I presume to kiss me goodnight. My father was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My fi rst newspaper editor, Cecil Gegg. I left school at 17 and went into a local newspaper. He instilled into me all the basic protocols of journalism, in a kindly way. He was always Mr Gegg – I wouldn’t have dreamt of calling him Cecil.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I like to think I’m someone who gets up and goes, and doesn’t give up easily, despite my laziness.
What is your most treasured possession?
A watch, given to me by my wife many years ago. It is a simple thing but my treasured possession.
What trait do you deplore in others?
Cyclists who flagrantly disobey the traffic lights or who ride on the wrong side of the bollards, or ride more than one abreast.
Do you have a fantasy address?
Northern Italy – on the shores of Lake Garda. If I had another life, I would be Italian.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
As a TV person, that I occasionally get a red spot right on the end of my nose. It’s always in the worst possible place, isn’t it?
What is your all-time favourite book?
Engine Man. It is about the life of a man who drove steam trains from the northeast of England to London. I love trains and I just love this book.
Your favourite film?
Citizen Kane
Your favourite music?
Mozart’s Requiem.
Your favourite meal?
I really am such a plain English eater. I just love a full English breakfast.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Lord Nelson. I think he is a fascinating character and an amazing leader of men. He was a very strict commander, but they loved him completely. I doubt I’d be able to get a word in edgewise.
Which historical character do you most admire?
Charles Dickens, who was a reporter originally.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
Someone said I was much better looking in the fl esh than on the telly. I am still trying to work out whether it was really a compliment.
Do you believe in aliens?
Do I think there are little green men? No. Do I think there is life on other planets? There has got to be.
What is your secret vice?
Railways. I love trains.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘As they say.’
What would improve the quality of your life?
More time to read. Like so many people these days, I have an iPhone, and it has cut horribly into my time. I wish I could do something about that. I was able once to read 10 books at a time; I would have them in diff erent rooms.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘He went through every quarter-open door.’ That’s the advice I give to young people in my trade.
Tune into Nicholas Owen on Saturday, 12pm on Classic FM (100-102 FM, digital, classicfm.com).
Days Like This, Blenheim Press, £9.95, is out now.
Apart from my Classic FM show, I’m still working for the BBC. Next year, I will have been working for 50 years.
When are you most happy?
I’ve been so lucky all my life – I’ve done a job I’ve absolutely loved.
What is your greatest fear?
Something going horribly wrong for anyone close to me. I have had my own share of medical adventures, as I call them. I had kidney cancer 11 years ago, so I am well aware that we are all mortal.
What is your earliest memory?
Being in my cot and my father in naval uniform leaning over, I presume to kiss me goodnight. My father was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My fi rst newspaper editor, Cecil Gegg. I left school at 17 and went into a local newspaper. He instilled into me all the basic protocols of journalism, in a kindly way. He was always Mr Gegg – I wouldn’t have dreamt of calling him Cecil.
What do you most dislike about yourself?
I like to think I’m someone who gets up and goes, and doesn’t give up easily, despite my laziness.
What is your most treasured possession?
A watch, given to me by my wife many years ago. It is a simple thing but my treasured possession.
What trait do you deplore in others?
Cyclists who flagrantly disobey the traffic lights or who ride on the wrong side of the bollards, or ride more than one abreast.
Do you have a fantasy address?
Northern Italy – on the shores of Lake Garda. If I had another life, I would be Italian.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
As a TV person, that I occasionally get a red spot right on the end of my nose. It’s always in the worst possible place, isn’t it?
What is your all-time favourite book?
Engine Man. It is about the life of a man who drove steam trains from the northeast of England to London. I love trains and I just love this book.
Your favourite film?
Citizen Kane
Mozart’s Requiem.
Your favourite meal?
I really am such a plain English eater. I just love a full English breakfast.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Lord Nelson. I think he is a fascinating character and an amazing leader of men. He was a very strict commander, but they loved him completely. I doubt I’d be able to get a word in edgewise.
Which historical character do you most admire?
Charles Dickens, who was a reporter originally.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
Someone said I was much better looking in the fl esh than on the telly. I am still trying to work out whether it was really a compliment.
Do you believe in aliens?
Do I think there are little green men? No. Do I think there is life on other planets? There has got to be.
What is your secret vice?
Railways. I love trains.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
‘As they say.’
What would improve the quality of your life?
More time to read. Like so many people these days, I have an iPhone, and it has cut horribly into my time. I wish I could do something about that. I was able once to read 10 books at a time; I would have them in diff erent rooms.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘He went through every quarter-open door.’ That’s the advice I give to young people in my trade.
Tune into Nicholas Owen on Saturday, 12pm on Classic FM (100-102 FM, digital, classicfm.com).
Days Like This, Blenheim Press, £9.95, is out now.