John Dare

Taxi Dispatcher Takes on Live Radio

A Perth man has swapped taxi radio for a chance to get his voice heard right across Perthshire. After years as a taxi dispatcher for a Perth taxi firm, John Dare, 43, begins hosting hosting Heartland FM's Lunchtime Live on Monday.

John's sharp humour while at work co-ordinating cabs, led to suggestions that he should be on the Radio. Customers and drivers used to joke that his talents were wasted and he should get his own radio show. Now John's responded to the challenge and is going live on Heartland FM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes.

The new presenter muses that taxis gave him "a dose of depression, a large waistline and a low credit rating" but it gave him a chance to laugh as well. He enjoyed winding up the drivers at the taxi firm and always had a witty comeback on the cab radio. "I was looking for something new and taking over the live desk at Heartland is just what I've been looking for. I'm going to give it my best shot." He's one of several people to answer regular appeals from Heartland's Station Manager, Bruce Patterson, for new talent to step forward.

John's new show, Lunchtime Live will include comment from John and a mix of music requests from listeners. They can also take part in the lunchtime quiz and sing-along-song.

Tune into John Dare on Lunchtime Live from Monday 19th September, noon till 2pm, on Heartland FM 97.5 in Highland Perthshire and 106.6 In the Perth area.

I am to host a new Monday DRIVE TIME show.

Heartland fm is increasing the number of live hours of broadcasting and this includes a new Monday drive time show that will start on Monday 30th January.

The show will obviously keep an eye on the traffic and travel in Perthshire plus regular interviews with the people who are of interest to the people of Perthshire.

The whole aim of the show is to give you a broad stoke of news travel and as ever I will play the usual mix of music and I am sure I will have the odd comment to make.

There will also be a new "just for fun competition" what capital am I talking about.

Talking point part of the show will be looking for your views on a recent topic.

The extra hours are just that I will still be on air Monday and Friday 12 till 2pm and Wednesday 12 till 4pm.

Are you interested in radio but not presenting , well why not get in contact with me if you would like help with the background work i.e a producer or researcher.

Email me direct at mailbox@heartlandfm.co.uk