Live webchat with Richard Bacon, Radio 5 Live broadcaster, ex-Blue Peter presenter and author, Monday 10 June, 8.30pm to 9.30pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Join us on Monday 10 June at 8.30pm for an evening webchat with Richard Bacon, Radio 5 Live broadcaster, ex-Blue Peter presenter and now author of his memoir, A Series of Unrelated Events. In his book Richard gives a frank and very funny glimpse into his life and the mistakes he's made along the way, from upsetting a band on live TV, performing stand-up comedy to a group who were funnier than him to letting down all the children of Great Britain. As well as Blue Peter, Richard has presented TV shows including the Big Breakfast and Top of the Pops and currently hosts a weekday Radio 5 Live afternoon show.

Join Richard at 8.30 pm on Monday 10 June or post a question to him in advance on this thread. Everyone who joins the discussion will be entered into a draw to win one of five signed copies of his book.

[whattodoo]

Richard, do you have a 5/10/50 year plan? Has your life (roughly) followed what you set out to achieve?

Any questions you wished you'd asked after the interviewee has left?

[Shakey1500]

Do you munch on some biscuits during the show? If so, what type?



(had to be done!)

[Eastpoint]

Yes to the Podcast heroes - there hasn't been much mention of them recently. Maybe you could give some of us a shout out in tomorrow's show?

[tmckinnin]

i enjoy your show i watch it everyday via the live stream what i wonder is why u do so many outside broadcasts and why are u obsessed with the USA and u love of america do u hope to live there one day and why u dont cover news in asia or cover anything to do with asia

[CabbageLeaves]

Hi

What is your biggest regret?

[RachelMumsnet]

Richard is here in the towers and about to start answering your questions. Thanks for joining us Richard and welcome to mumsnet.

[RichardBacon]

Hi everyone, I'm here at Mumsnet, surprisingly flashy, New York style loft office in Kentish Town. I don't mind telling you, I'm a bit scared of Mumsnet ...

[RichardBacon]

@Pagwatch

Ooh I really like his show on radio 5.
His interview with Ruby Wax recently was really interesting especially given how she tends to just steam roller conversations through sheer force of personality.

I always thought he sounded a bit scared of mumsnet

The webca coincides with part of the school run but will try to get back.

I would probably like him to say which interviewee was least like their on-screen persona. And is John Simm as fantastic as he seems to be.

The answer is actually John Simm because he's incredibly un-intense in real life. All the characters he plays are very intense and he is the exact opposite of that.

[stickthekettleon]

Ahhhh don't be. We love you Dicky xxx

[poachedeggs]

And so you should be, Richard.

[RichardBacon]

@harryhausen

I love Richard Bacons 5live show. He's really natural and seems genuinely excited about some really nerdy topics that always turn out to be fascinating.

Harry, I don't think you've mastered the art of posing a question. But thank you for such a generous comment.

[BettyTurpinEyes]

Hi Richard, just to get the embarrassing bit out of the way I would like to say that I have long been a fan, and love the way that you seem to be genuinely fascinated with the workings and processes of the media in general. It's great to listen to someone who seems to be so engaged with the subjects that they cover, and often comes at them from a quite different angle.

You seem to have a knack of relaxing your interviewees with a laid-back style of questioning, which often leads to some really unexpected admissions - what do you feel has been your biggest coup in terms of getting a subject to talk about something that you may not have expected them to before you met?

[RichardBacon]

@harryhausen

I'd like to ask how he copes when he realises quite soon into an interview that the interviewee isn't going to say much and is quite 'closed' and they come across as grumpy.

Does he monitor twitter on air for a reaction?

Harry, I apologise, I realise you have mastered the art of asking a question. Paul McCartney's son came on and barely said 3 words, and that was a car crash. I just talk a lot myself. Sometimes if it's a really long interview and I've asked a lot of questions, I'll re-ask questions I've asked in the beginning of the interview and re-phrase them. You can now look out for this technique when you listen to the show, which you'll be doing during your break from reading A Series of Unrelated Events.

[Cherrypi]

Hi Richard. Love the podcast. Where is your iplayer show picture taken? It looks like a market. Thanks.

[RichardBacon]

@JaquelineHyde

Hi Richard

Just wondering how excited you are about the mighty Stags return to the football league?

The only football match in my life I've ever really enjoyed was when the Stags won the Freight Rover trophy at Wembley in 1986. Since then no football has lived up to that moment so I don't really follow the game. But I think it means an enormous amount to the town and it's a great achievement for the previously ridiculed female Chief Exec of the club. I hope she rewards herself with a copy of A Series of Unrelated Events I'm really happy for Mansfield.

[RichardBacon]

@tethersend

Richard,

I quite like you, but I'm not sure why.

Can you think of a reason? I've tried, but no luck.

Cheers x

All of the answers to that question are contained within the covers of A Series of Unrelated Events . Some people seem to like me because I've led quite a chaotic, hapless existence in which quite a lot has gone wrong.

[RichardBacon]

@NigellasGuest

Hi Richard, why did "Help!" disappear?
I don't miss it at all, but just wonder why it was stopped.

Also, do you miss anything at all about the late night show? I used to listen to you when you did that. (i still listen in the day too)! Obviously it was a good move for you to do the afternoons instead, but is there anything about the late night programme that you preferred?

Two really good questions. Help disappeared because the BBC trust took it away for not being 'newsy' enough. For the record I think it was a terrible decision by the BBC trust. I miss a lot about the night time show - we created a real club there, in which it felt like I knew all the listeners personally. The night time show if I'm honest is more enjoyable to present, it's just on at the wrong time of day. There's only so long you can get home at 2am for.

[NeddyNibbles]

What's been your biggest surprise at becoming a Dad?

[RichardBacon]

@Shakey1500

Do you munch on some biscuits during the show? If so, what type?



(had to be done!)

I'm going to evade answering this question in the hope of generating a fraction of the publicity that Gordon Brown did when he came here to Mumsnet Towers and shamefully avoided answering that question.

[cm22v077]

So Richard, why have you written the book? Is there Blue Peter scandal in there?

[RichardBacon]

@bleedingheart

Do you think your reaction to certain topics in the news has been affected by becoming a father?

I've listened to you for a long time and I think you've matured a lot in the past two years. That isn't meant to sound as catty as it appears.

Yes I think that's true. Some listeners are quite sarcastic about the amount I mention my son, but I've always been a presenter who talks about his own life a lot so when that's the biggest thing in your life it's hard not to mention. And I think I have matured in the last couple of years, but I still go out far too much. But I think on air I probably (when I'm not sounding hungover) have tried to sound a bit more mature. I'm glad you've noticed.

[RichardBacon]

@ViviPru

Eh up duck. Being born and bread Notts as am I, I have to ask, did you ever put fairy liquid in the slab square fountains?

I don't remember doing that, but if I did it would have been one of the least criminal things I did during my time in Nottinghamshire. Thanks me duck.

[jillfiona]

My 9 year old son is your biggest fan, he listens to your podcasts (not always entirely appropriate) and often recites bits of the before/after show briefings. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it keeps him quiet.
Anyway, he'd like to know if you played at instruments when you were at school?