BBC Radio Cumbria breakfast host Mike Zeller on his career

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 15:09 · Archive

Carlisle-born Mike Zeller hosts the breakfast show on BBC Radio Cumbria after 36 years in broadcasting.

Mike Zeller hosts the breakfast show on BBC Radio Cumbria and is one of the most recognisable voices in the region, heard by thousands of Cumbrians each morning.

The Carlisle-born broadcaster has worked in radio for 36 years and has been a presenter at BBC Radio Cumbria for the last 15 years, now occupying the breakfast show slot.

Zeller decided to pursue broadcasting as a child after hearing Gary Davies present a show on Radio One. 'I can't describe it really – it was just a normal bit of his show,' he said. 'I listened and thought: That's what I want to do. I can't explain to you why. It just seemed like a really fun way of earning a living. From then on, I was constantly focused on how I could make it happen.'

Asked whether the job comes naturally after his decades in the industry, Zeller suggested the reality is more complex. 'I don't know – I might sound natural,' he said. 'But maybe it's the gliding swan and the kicking legs underneath. There's work that goes into it every day, that's for sure.'

He attributed his current broadcasting style to gradual development over his career. 'I think my style just developed over time,' he said. 'On old recordings I sound insane! I think back then I thought you had to be a hot rocking DJ. I think you get more comfortable in your own skin and you develop your own style of broadcasting over time.'

How it is being reported

• BBC Radio's Mike Zeller: The morning voice of CumbriaCarlisle-born Mike Zeller is one of the first voices thousands of Cumbrians hear when they get up in the mornings. The breakfast show host talks about building a long career in broadcasting.NW Evening Mail · 9 Oct, 12:00
• BBC Radio's Mike Zeller: The morning voice of CumbriaCarlisle-born Mike Zeller is one of the first voices thousands of Cumbrians hear when they get up in the mornings. The breakfast show host talks about building a long career in broadcasting.Westmorland Gazette · 9 Oct, 12:00
• BBC Radio's Mike Zeller: The morning voice of CumbriaCarlisle-born Mike Zeller is one of the first voices thousands of Cumbrians hear when they get up in the mornings. The breakfast show host talks about building a long career in broadcasting.Whitehaven News · 9 Oct, 12:00
• BBC Radio's Mike Zeller: The morning voice of CumbriaCarlisle-born Mike Zeller is one of the first voices thousands of Cumbrians hear when they get up in the mornings. The breakfast show host talks about building a long career in broadcasting.News & Star · 9 Oct, 10:12

In this story: Mike Zeller · BBC Radio Cumbria · Gary Davies · Carlisle · Cumbria

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