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John Gelson

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John Gelson

Name: John Gelson

How did I get here? I've been involved in radio for over 25 years: first as a presenter on two short-term fundraising stations in Hartlepool and Newcastle, and for hospital radio in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. I became BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland producer in 1992 before joining BBC Radio Cleveland in 1994, looking after weekend shows and presenting on Saturday lunchtime, then becoming news editor in 2001. The news team won Sony Gold for coverage of President Bush's 2003 visit to the North East. My 'day job' now is managing media relations for East Coast trains and its predecessors NXEC and GNER. I missed radio presenting and decided in 2010 to get in touch with Radio Teesdale to find out more. I started presenting on Sunday lunchtimes in October, and now present a two-hour show on Saturday afternoons.

Show: Saturday Afternoon Show

When is it on? Saturday 2-4pm

Why did you choose to do this type of show? Saturday afternoon is a great time for us to offer something different to sport or chart music on other stations - and we can talk about local people and places across Teesdale like no-one else. And of course there's our 'cake of the week' ... mmm!

Favourite song of all time? Hard to pick just one but contenders include Angel Eyes by Roxy Music, The Stranger by Billy Joel and Reelin' in the Years by Steely Dan.

Favourite local place: The scenery around Grassholme and Selset reservoirs above Mickleton is stunning - or in Barnard Castle, a stroll along the riverbank from the bottom of Thorngate to the end of Bridgegate, then around the castle to the Scar Top. Both are great for a picnic when the weather's nice - don't forget the cake!

Likes: Escaping into the countryside, including here in beautiful Teesdale. We are very lucky to have wonderful places on our doorstep.

Dislikes: Traffic jams, busy motorways - thankfully driving in Teesdale is still a pleasure. Getting into Darlington on weekday mornings isn't.

Tell us something about you that we don't know: I'm scared of heights! I remember spending a three-hour live broadcast next to the Transporter Bridge on Teesside coming up with excuses for why I couldn't walk across the top. Even the metal footbridge over the Tees at the bottom of Thorngate in Barney gives me the wobbles!