The 'Original' Century Presenters

Where are they now? (*Info correct as of 2010)

Andy Hodgson - did early mornings and sat in as Morgan's foil, Andy became head of presentation and presenter at auction shopping channel Bid TV and has worked with Armando Ianucci in a sketch spoofing himself selling bacon (and another one where he gets shot). He has gradually morphed into a young Alan Partridge since leaving Century, retaining his wan brand of humour. He left Bid TV in May 2010 but is now in a management post at Ideal World.  UPDATE 2026   He was a mere 24 years old when he started on Century, and is now a voice-over, TV, radio and events host.

John Morgan - John Myers was secretly the MD of Century and set up two other Century stations, then Real Radio. Although having a high position at the Guardian Media Group still presents swing shifts on occassion at Smooth Radio north east as he never moved away from the area. He is now chair of the Radio Academy and highly regarded in the radio industry.
Update 2019: Sadly after overcoming cancer of the mouth, John died of a heart attack in June 2019 at the age of 60. The huge outpouring of praise for him as a friend and colleague from those he worked with throughout his career was incredible. He must have been a really great guy. I've tried to find as much audio of him as I can from my tapes and have uploaded more to the audio page.

John Simons - worked with Myers (he's never far from him) on Century and Real Radio as group programme controller and also did something at TalkSport and Radio 2 I seem to remember. He now is at Smooth.  UPDATE 2026   Runs a radio consultancy company.

Tony Fisher - did some evenings on BBC Radio Cleveland and Newcastle. Was on Invicta in the early 00s, BBC Hereford & Worcester and currently on BBC Radio Essex.  UPDATE 2026   Has written a book and appears to have retired from radio.

Paul Frost - was presenting programmes on Tyne Tees TV at the same time as presenting his weekday lunchtime phone-in. Went to BBC Radio Cleveland (now BBC Tees) but hasn't been on the TV for some time. He nows runs a PR company, Paul Frost Associates.  UPDATE 2026   Runs Paul Frost Media making films.

Steve Philips - went to A1FM in Darlington, BBC Radio Cleveland, Magic and eventually re-appeared on Smooth Radio in the north east. In the summer of 2010 he presented overnights on Smooth Radio UK, nationwide on DAB and most of the regional Smooth FM stations. It sounded just like Century did - similar mix of music, just without references to texts, websites and emails!

Paul Gough - after his rise to fame, went to Metro FM and now runs an events and PR company.  UPDATE 2026   Was on BBC Tees and TFM, still runs his PR and events company.

Phil Matthews - went over to present on emerging English-speaking radio stations in the Middle East and Kenya.

Simon Bates - presented on Liberty in London, did some TV work for Sky One (Our Tunes) and was correspondent for CBS News. For a number of years he was the morning presenter on national Classic FM station, and in January 2011 moved to present the breakfast show on Smooth Radio UK. Now on BBC local radio.  UPDATE 2026   Does voice work for "Now" music channels and is on Boom Radio at weekends.

Gary Davies - went to Virgin Radio. Now he's a artist agent / manager.  UPDATE 2026   Often on BBC Radio 2 cover, and currently doing drivetime there.

Neville Wanless - since his start as a continuity announcer on Tyne Tees TV in 1958, Neville is still presenting a Sunday night show on Radio Tyneside 52 years on!  UPDATE 2026   Neville died in December 2020 aged 89.

James Whale - did two weekend night time phone in shows on Century for the first year. Went on to Talk Radio which became Talk Sport, was fired for supporting Boris Johnson as major, became drivetime presenter on London's LBC and is now back on Talk Radio evenings.  UPDATE 2026   Working on radio until the end, James died of cancer in August 2025 aged 74.

Mike Elliott - appeared in Billy Elliot as the boxing coach. Presented a networked phone-in on TLRC stations in the mid-2000s and was heard on Magic 1152 / 1170 for a while after this.  UPDATE 2026   Passed away in Dec 2014 aged 68. See the Videos page for some footage of Mike doing full shows.

Mike Parr - went to BBC Radio Cumbria and Newcastle and now on BBC Tees.  UPDATE 2026   Is now a radio consultant and event host.