David Allan (broadcaster)
Encyclopedia
David Allan is a British
television
continuity announcer and radio
presenter.
as a stage manager, he began broadcasting on the offshore
station Radio 390
in 1966, before joining BBC Radio 2
to present country music
programmes from 1976 to part of the late 1980s. In 1994, he presented shows on Country 1035
in London
, but he didn't stay long and was a heavy critic of their music playlist. By the 1990s, he was presenting country music programmes on Radio 2 again, but was later replaced by Bob Harris
. He also presented a show on Melody FM. He was also heard at weekends on PrimeTime Radio
, before that station closed down. In 2002, he won an International Broadcaster award from the American Country Music Association.
Allan is also a country music journalist, having written his own page of views of the country music scene in the magazine Country Music People regularly and presenting country music programming for BBC TV.
in 1969 and became a staff announcer three years later, remaining with the Corporation's presentation department until 1994. While announcing for BBC1 and BBC2, Allan also announced for BBC World Service Television
during the early 1990s.
From 1995, he was heard announcing for Carlton Television
in London
on relief duties, and during the late 1990s and early 2000s, was heard across much of the ITV network as an announcer for overnight programming. He has also been an announcer for the British version of The History Channel
, working alongside former BBC continuity colleagues David Miles
and Charles Nove
. He is currently providing continuity for Sky's Military History Channel.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
continuity announcer and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
presenter.
Radio career
After nine years working in theatreTheatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
as a stage manager, he began broadcasting on the offshore
Offshore radio
Offshore radio is radio broadcasting from ships or fixed maritime structures, usually in international waters. The claimed first wireless broadcast of music and speech for the purpose of entertainment was transmitted from a Royal Naval craft, the HMS Andromeda, in 1907...
station Radio 390
Radio 390
Radio 390 was a pirate radio station which operated from Red Sands Fort, near Whitstable), a former Maunsell Fort located on the Red Sands sandbar....
in 1966, before joining BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
to present country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
programmes from 1976 to part of the late 1980s. In 1994, he presented shows on Country 1035
Country 1035
Country 1035 was a country music based Independent Local Radio station based in London, England.-History:After airing test transmissions the first voice officially heard on air was the stations chairman John Wellington. In his opening words he noted that the station will "fulfill a long awaited need"...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, but he didn't stay long and was a heavy critic of their music playlist. By the 1990s, he was presenting country music programmes on Radio 2 again, but was later replaced by Bob Harris
Bob Harris (radio)
Robert Brinley Joseph "Bob" Harris, OBE , known as "Whispering" Bob Harris, is British radio host who currently works for BBC Radio 2, presenting music two nights a week...
. He also presented a show on Melody FM. He was also heard at weekends on PrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio
PrimeTime Radio was a national UK radio station. It was once part of although it became independent in 2004. It operated as a sister station to Saga Digital radio. The line up featured a variety of presenters including David Hamilton, Don Durbridge, David Allan, Dave Cash, Tony Myatt and Sheila...
, before that station closed down. In 2002, he won an International Broadcaster award from the American Country Music Association.
Allan is also a country music journalist, having written his own page of views of the country music scene in the magazine Country Music People regularly and presenting country music programming for BBC TV.
Announcing career
Allan began freelancing as a network continuity announcer for BBC TelevisionBBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
in 1969 and became a staff announcer three years later, remaining with the Corporation's presentation department until 1994. While announcing for BBC1 and BBC2, Allan also announced for BBC World Service Television
BBC World Service Television
BBC World Service Television, often abbreviated to WSTV, was the name given to two of the BBC's international satellite television channels between 1991 and 1995. It was the BBC's first foray into worldwide television broadcasting...
during the early 1990s.
From 1995, he was heard announcing for Carlton Television
Carlton Television
Carlton Television was the ITV franchise holder for London and the surrounding counties including the cities of Solihull and Coventry of the West Midlands, south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire,...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on relief duties, and during the late 1990s and early 2000s, was heard across much of the ITV network as an announcer for overnight programming. He has also been an announcer for the British version of The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
, working alongside former BBC continuity colleagues David Miles
David Miles (Radio)
David Miles is a British continuity announcer and newsreader on BBC Radio 4.- Biography :Born in 1954, David Miles joined the BBC in 1975 as a studio manager. Initially working at Bush House, he then transferred to Broadcasting House. Between 1981 and 1987, and again between 1988 and 1995, he...
and Charles Nove
Charles Nove
Charles Alexis Nove born in London, is a long standing news and continuity voiceover announcer for BBC radio and television. In recent years he has provided holiday relief for BBC Radio 2 and what used to be Saga Radio in Scotland, and following John Marsh's retirement in February 2007 he became...
. He is currently providing continuity for Sky's Military History Channel.