Early career
Starting at VMR (Virgin Megastore Radio, Nick Abbot joined Radio Luxembourg in the early part of 1988, presenting an overnight show, which, to start with, was mainly music based. Later on he decided to change it to a phone-in show.
In October 1988, Nick presented the Breakfast show on BBC GLR. He wasn't happy there and soon left.
Virgin Radio
In 1993, Nick was offered the late night show on Virgin Radio, every Sunday to Thursday from 10pm until 2am. This show was where Nick made his name in British broadcasting and built up thousands of fans and regular listeners throughout the course of the show.
He was taken off the late night slot in June 1994, after a number of complaints to the Radio Authority. Virgin was fined twice for Nick's outbursts on air; Virgin bosses decided enough was enough and they moved him to an earlier slot in which he had to tone down his act, mainly asking people for music requests. This show broadcast from 7 to 10pm on Mondays to Fridays.
In January 1995, Nick was allowed back on the late night slot from 11pm to 2am, but after only 4 months, Virgin bosses moved him to the weekday drivetime slot from 4 to 7.30pm with a show that was heavily music-based. Nick was then fired from Virgin in September 1995, leaving Virgin with a fine of £20,000.
Talk Radio
In late 1996, Talk Radio (now talkSPORT) hired Nick to fill in for many of their presenters while on holiday. Nick, who was also working for Virgin Megastore Radio at the time, proved very popular with the listeners.
After many stints on Talk Radio, Nick was once again hired at Virgin in 1997 as holiday cover by Virgin's then new bosses.
And back to Virgin
In the summer of 1997, Nick was offered his own weekly phone-in show on Talk Radio, working alongside Carol McGiffin. The two of them worked together during the close of the football season. In late 1997, Nick was offered his own Saturday evening show from 7.30 to 10pm as well as continuing stand in slots on Virgin.
As well as Talk Radio, in the early part of 1998 Nick was offered a permanent slot on Virgin. After moving around the schedule, he was eventually offered the weekday afternoon show from 1 to 4pm.
Doing well
In addition to his daily show on Virgin, in mid 1998, Nick also took over the weekday evening show on Talk Radio from 7-9pm. He was doing rather well, presenting two shows every weekday.
Black Thursday
Thursday 12th November 1998, coined Black Thursday, was the day that Talk Radio was taken over by a new set of bosses, headed by Kelvin MacKenzie. Nick, along with many other presenters, was axed without warning. He then went on to present his afternoon music show on Virgin from Sunday to Friday each week.
LBC
In March 1999, London-based LBC offered both Nick & Carol McGiffin a Saturday evening phone in show from 6 to 10pm. They remained here until September 1999, during which time Nick continued DJing on Virgin.
More shows at Virgin
In 2000, Nick was offered a Sunday morning phone in show on Virgin, whuch was to run throughout the summer. It broadcast from 10am to 1pm. He was also presenting the daily afternoon show, before moving to the drivetime show later in the year.
Real Radio
Nick remained at Virgin until May 2001. In July 2001, he joined Real Radio in Wales presenting their late night phone in show from Sundays to Thursdays at 10pm until 1am. October 2001 saw the beginning of a five-day stint at Manchester's Piccadilly Key 103, during which he presented the 10pm-2am slot.
In January 2002, Nick went to Real Radio in Scotland where he again presented the late night phone in show from 10pm-1am. Later in 2002, his show was networked across all three Real Radio stations (Scotland, Wales & Yorkshire).
Nick presented his last Real Radio show on Thursday 19th December 2002. It is understood that Nick had quit the radio business for a while to pursue other projects.
Freelancing
After 2 and a half years, Nick was once again heard on the airwaves. On Saturday 3rd September 2005 he was heard on London's 102.2 Smooth FM, presenting a Saturday morning show from 10am-2pm. Since then he has stood in for various shows, including weekend breakfast, and has also been heard covering shows on digital station Planet Rock.
Planet Rock
On Saturday 17th December 2005, Nick began a regular gig on Planet Rock, every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 2 to 6pm.
More shows at LBC
In 2006, Nick was offered a brief stint sitting in for Caroline Feraday's weekend show on LBC 97.3, from 10th-19th February. However, he lost his voice during his 11th February show, cutting the show short. He was also unable to present the following evening's show, but returned on 17th February for the final three shows of the stint.
April shows on LBC
Nick will be filling in for Clive Bull on the 10th and 11th April, 8pm until midnight. Let's hope that Welsh fella (and most annoying regular of all-time) doesn't phone in!
Up-to-date information can be found on the forum
External links
- NickAbbot.com - Directory of Nick Abbot fan sites