Seated comfortably in a deck chair outside Sheffield City Hall, Greg James couldn’t help but express his excitement after sharing the stage with his childhood idol and beloved figure of the city, Michael Palin.
Michael truly captivated me. I recall being around eight or nine years old when I first watched ‘Around the World in 80 Days.’ Initially, I admired him as this fantastic travel presenter, but as I delved deeper, I discovered that this hilarious man was not just a part of the legendary comedy troupe, but also a writer, actor, director, and author.
The duo were capturing a live installment of James’s Radio 4 program, Rewinder, during the Crossed Wires podcast event. This special occasion showcased an abundance of archive materials connected to the ex-Python’s personal and professional life – spanning from his debut screen appearance in a risqué Ken Dodd sketch to his former geography teacher reflecting on Palin’s scholastic years.
Last night, James was the host of another event at the festival titled “Nobody Expects the Michael Palin Podcast.” During this gathering, it seemed as though James attempted to convince the famed personality, who is surprisingly one of the few well-known individuals not yet hosting a podcast, that he should start one.
What really appeals to me about him is his endless thirst for knowledge. He’s always eager to meet new people, try new experiences, and learn more about the world, and discovering podcasts seems like just another part of his ongoing learning journey.
However, the podcast topic was actually a misleading clue: “The purpose was to discuss his life in Sheffield, and that was the secret charm.
A perpetual eagerness to learn might just as well describe the 39-year-old host of Radio 1 Breakfast, the archivist for Radio 4, the host of Tailenders cricket podcast, a children’s book author, and this year’s creative director of Crossed Wires.
When asked about the source of his drive, he traces it back to the impact of Michael Palin: “He infuses everything he does with such excitement and genuine fervor – I strive to emulate that. One needs role models, and I don’t believe there’s a better one than him. He exemplifies the idea that ‘no one is just one thing.’
One might ponder if James’s diverse professional pursuits could be a deliberate approach, as he prepares to leave his 30s. For 18 years, his primary role has been on a popular radio station known for replacing presenters when they no longer cater to its youthful audience. Could his Radio 4 projects, such as Tailenders and podcast festivals, be a form of security against the day when Radio 1 management might deem him too old for his audience?
In my perspective, I don’t approach things in the way you suggest. I immerse myself in numerous activities because I genuinely enjoy them, not due to fear of idle time. Radio 1 holds a special place in my heart, having been my constant companion since childhood, and surprisingly, I never thought I would still be part of it. However, I continue to discover new challenges within its realm. It’s simply fantastic, and the listeners never cease to amaze and amuse me.
James expresses that he maintains a strong rapport with his superiors, meeting with them annually to confirm their continued satisfaction with his employment. In the event that during their yearly review they were to decide he no longer needed to stay, “I would have no regrets,” he says. “I’d respond, ‘Okay, I have more to offer but I accept it.’
He’s looking forward to having an additional 30 minutes each morning during summer, but he’s not quite there yet. It seems that leaving earlier wouldn’t be well-received. In other words, he feels extremely fortunate to continue working on Radio 1 and considers it a great honor, so he doesn’t want to leave too soon. The breakfast show requires considerable time to reach, so he wants to ensure that when he eventually departs, it will be at the perfect moment.
When the time arrives, without a shadow of a doubt, I’ll be following in my hero’s footsteps and hopping aboard a train for an exciting journey of my own.
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2025-07-15 02:37