Clive Bull

Clive Bull (born 1959) is a radio talk show host on LBC in London, England. He usually occupies the "time-for-bed" slot, currently 8 p.m. - 12 a.m, Monday to Thursdays. His laid-back approach is the antithesis of the opinionated, radical radio host so typical of talk radio.

Clive Bull entices his callers into a cosy familiarity so that the audience feels it is listening in to a private conversation. The discussions tend to focus around two or three topics each evening based loosely upon what is in the news. The discussions are known more for their unintended (by the caller) entertainment value than for their intellectual content. His producer, Bob "Nice" Johnson, plays an essential role in the show. From time to time, he leaves his desk to collect a "number 94" for Clive, and also to go to the toilet. This sometimes leads to Clive answering calls directly, with no filtering. The result of this is occasionally lunatics making cow noises. Nevertheless, Bob's filtering has previously allowed through callers of the lunatic persuasion, e.g. "William from Sutton", a William Hague impersonator, who appeared over ten times.

Regular callers appear to believe that they possess special insights into solving the problems of society, the best known of these being the infamous Rosemary from Golders Green. Surprisingly few, however, ring up to give a political speech. This may be due to Clive Bull's disarming style which includes asking the next caller a question based upon what a previous caller said. For example, if someone rings in to say "Failed asylum seekers should be thrown out of the country" they are likely to be asked a docile question such as "Have you ever picked up a penny in the street?". By the time they have had this discussion, the wind has been taken out of their sails. A surprisingly high proportion of callers appear to be cab drivers who may be waiting for a fare or actually have a fare in the cab. Listeners may then be treated to a discussion about where the cab dropped off the passenger.

Clive Bull was the overnight phone-in host when Peter Cook, a deceased famous English satirist, made a series of calls using the pseudonym "Sven from Swiss Cottage". The surreal nature of these calls has been recorded in "Tragically I Was An Only Twin", a collection of his writings.

Peter Cook's former neighbour Rainbow George Weiss remains a regular caller (except during elections) with news of his "political" activity.

Michael Barrymore once phoned in to take part in a talent contest as himself. He came last.

Clive was educated at Dulwich College in Dulwich, South East London. He has a degree in Educational Broadcasting from London University and a distinction in Radio Journalism from The National Broadcasting School.

In June 2005, the Radio Times published a list of the 40 "most powerful people on radio". A panel of radio experts was polled rate their favourite, and most influential, broadcasters. Clive Bull came in at 19, on a list dominated by BBC national radio presenters. "A brilliant phone-in host who knows that the way to make captivating talk radio is not to rant or rage, but to create a separate world, away from the nonsense of current affairs - then invite his listeners into it. His show is the most listened-to night-time programme in London and is an understated joy."

External links

• LBC 97.3 presenter page (http://www.lbc973.co.uk/showdj.asp?DJID=14006)
• Yahoo! Groups Clive Bull (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clive-bull/)