Big Al (radio presenter)
Big Al is a British radio presenter (born Alan Nield) from Oldham, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
After a year co-presenting the Evening Show with Lee Glasby at 96.2 The Revolution, the duo were asked to take on the role of Breakfast Show hosts at the same station. Big Al stayed on as co-presenter of the show when Lee Glasby decided to move on to other things after 18 months and was replaced by Sarah Mills.
After a further 18 month period, he moved to a weekend slot with comedian Smug Roberts from Phoenix Nights fame and veteran broadcaster Brendan Kearney.
In September 2007, Big Al moved to the nearby and newly formed Tameside Radio, following a dispute with the then station manager at 96.2 The Revolution. He presented a weekend breakfast show called the Weekend Malarkey with sometime co-host Mark Alston, who was frequently replaced by another local presenter and club entertainer L.A Jon. The name 'Malarkey' is said to derive from the first two letters of the presenters names (MArk & AL) and the whole ethos of the show.He frequently found himself in bother with the station management, with the practical jokes he continually played and his outspoken point of view.
On Thursday 4 September 2008, it was announced that Steve Penk had bought the entire share capital in the radio station 96.2 The Revolution. Almost immediately after the purchase, Steve Penk made whole-scale changes both to the schedule and to the play list. He controversially decided to appoint himself as host of the Breakfast Show, recalled Big Al to initially cover the Evening Show, but quickly moved him to the more prominent weekday mid-morning slot.
Television Appearances
- I'm A Celebrity - Jungle Drums