Mark Radcliffe: ‘Hosting the Radio 1 breakfast show was an embarrassing moment that lasted for nine months’

The author and DJ on his worst job in radio, surviving cancer, and the person he despises most of all

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.