MARTY WHELAN

What is your own favourite genre of music?

I LOVE all sorts. Obviously, I love classical music, I love Opera but I don’t like screechy Opera. And I love singer/songwriters. I’m a Van Morrison maniac. I’m a Bruce Springsteen fan. I’m a Frank Sinatra fan. For me it’s all of that and what we try to do on the show is encompass that.

The top three songs that make you want to get on the dancefloor.

Dancing Queen by ABBA or Murder on the Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis Bextor, M People’s Moving on Up and Don’t Leave Me This Way by The Communards.

Your earliest musical memory?

WHEN I was very small people like Val Doonican and The Monkees (pictured), who I loved, used to be on every Saturday and I had all the records. I still do.

Your biggest musical hero you’ve met in real life?

TO PICK one is very difficult. I met Ennio Morricone and interviewed him.

I danced with Bruce Springsteen. I met Burt Bacharach and Jimmy Webb, who is one of the greatest writers I know of heartfelt songs. I think meeting Jimmy and spending time with him was very special.

Your greatest high point of working at Lyric FM so far?

THE people I work with in Lyric are incredible. We have a great team and we bounce off each other.

For instance, this morning I was about to play James Taylor and someone sent me a request asking would I play Puff the Magic Dragon for a five-year-old somewhere.

We changed the entire running order, I think that’s the trick and they are the moments that I cherish on Lyric, and that’s the joy of being able to do that at breakfast.

What have you found hasn’t worked – any disasters?

NO, not really. I mean I’ve pressed the wrong button sometimes, but I just say it’s another broken knob and it’s all part of the fun of the morning.

If any song in the world could be your theme song, what would it be and why?

PROBABLY Frank Sinatra’s That’s Life because you’re up and down and you never know.