Born in Bolton, Radcliffe, 67, studied at the University of Manchester and began his career at Piccadilly Radio in 1979. Between 1991 and 2004 he hosted many shows on Radio 1 with Marc Riley, and in 1997 the pair took over the breakfast show from Chris Evans. Radcliffe’s current programmes are The Folk Show on Radio 2 and Radcliffe and Maconie on Radio 6 Music. His new book is called Et Tu, Cavapoo? A Dog’s Life in Rome. He is married with three daughters and lives in Cheshire.
When were you happiest?
When I changed the toner cartridge in my printer all on my own – that was a day of pure euphoria.
What is your greatest fear?
Heights, something happening to my children and Manchester United getting good again (I’m a Man City fan).
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
The Radio 1 breakfast show was an embarrassing moment that lasted for nine months.
Describe yourself in three words
Fairly decent bloke.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Ideally, I’d like a bit more hair and a couple of inches in height.
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Cate Blanchett or Juliette Binoche. Or, failing that, Toby Jones.
What is your most unappealing habit?
My wife would say snoring.
What scares you about getting older?
Nothing. I survived a cancer scare at 60, so I am just overjoyed to be here.
Who is your celebrity crush?
Cate Blanchett or Juliette Binoche. Sorry, Toby.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A drummer in a famous band or an astronaut.
What is the worst thing anyone’s ever said to you?
This was said about me in a Radio 1 focus group: “I don’t pay my licence fee to hear scummy northerners.”
Which living person do you most despise and why?
Ex-Post Office CEO Paula Vennells, without hesitation. Most of the world’s ills have come from cruelty hiding behind self-righteous religious standing, so I think she’s despicable.
What is the worst job you’ve ever done?
Working in a bottle factory, which lasted one day, and the Radio 1 breakfast show.
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What would you like to leave your children?
A sense of what’s right, a few quid and some nice paintings.
What is the closest you’ve ever come to death?
Throat and neck cancer in 2018. They told me six to eight months if it hadn’t been caught.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Having three great daughters, having been on the radio for nearly 50 years and not being dead.
Would you rather have more sex, money or fame?
Money.
How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who made people laugh, introduced them to good music and wasn’t too much of a pain in the arse.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Be kind.
What happens when we die?
A nice long rest.
Tell us a secret
Every year at Christmas, I read the new Rupert annual. I’ve got every one from the year I was born in 1958.