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Robbie's real deal
Real Radio programme director Dave Shearer says securing Robbie Williams for Friday's Illuminations Switch On, was the best moment of his broadcasting career.
"I can't describe the feeling when I finally heard he'd said yes," says the former Red Rose Radio Breakfast show presenter. "It was a combination of sheer excitement and absolute relief. It was phenomenal – I was over the moon."
Taking over the Switch On responsibilities which BBC Radio 2 had handled for the previous 17 years was no easy feat, he says.
"I realised there were some raised eyebrows when we stepped into the breach so we had to aim high and you can't get much higher than Robbie Williams can you?" he says. "We pitched for him back in March and then it was all a waiting game.
"I was quite lucky that it's about relationships and I've had a very good relationship with Robbie's record label over the years. Plus I knew he'd had his days out in Blackpool and enjoyed them so in the end I just asked.
"Some people would have wanted to know what it was all about but he knew and with a Greatest Hits collection coming out in
October his people were looking for ideas so we put together a great package for him.
"Robbie sees it as a benefit and he himself is keen on the idea and wants to spend some time in the town and at the Pleasure Beach. The people who look after him realise the importance of it because of the national exposure it will give."
But even when Dave got confirmation that Robbie would be here he had to hold on before revealing the Switch On star's identity.
"That was the hardest part of all because I was so excited," he said. "But we had to wait until the publicity about re-joining Take That had come out and then we had to wait until after his wedding.
"It was nerve racking keeping it under wraps. I was convinced it would leak out because it was so big a story."
He's aware some critics feel losing Radio 2's national coverage is a blow but stresses the company has stations throughout the UK which have been publicising the Illuminations weeks ahead of the actual Switch On.
"And we won't just be coming to Blackpool once a year," he said.
"Blackpool is an area that is very important to us. Its core values of family, fun and entertainment are the same as ours – it ticks all the boxes.
"I was born and raised in the North West so I've fond memories of the place from visits since I was very young plus I'm married to a Preston girl and our son goes to King Edward."
The radio station will be bringing coachloads of listeners to Blackpool from all over the country and Dave defends the
issuing of passes to the main event, rather than the usual first come first served policy.
"The only way to do it was by a ticket lottery," he said. "It's a national event so you can't give them all out to locals. Plus we had to look at the safety aspect. An act of this magnitude is global. You can't have 100,000 or more people trying to cram into a space for 15,000 – there have been too many tragedies doing that."
As for people trying to sell their allocation on e-bay he says Real Radio saw it coming and put a block on the trading.
But with the hours ticking down to the 2010 Switch On what's his major worry?
"What are we going to try and top it with next year," says Dave. "We are working on it already."
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
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Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
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