I first met the man they called Dickie Bow, in Atlantic 252 back in the mid-90's. It was during one of my returns to Ireland from Canada. At that stage, Dickie had come off mornings and was presenting his own evening show on the station. He was a friendly, inclusive and very warm personality who made me feel very much at home. Always the sign of a class act at any radio station.
After leaving Atlantic, I guess most people presumed he would up sticks and head back to The UK. But no. The next stop on his travels was to Tipp FM in Ireland.
If you are in Limerick these days you will hear now his tones on Live95.
But you won't hear the name Dickie Bow mentioned - have the days of crazy radio DJ names gone? Yeah, probably. It was all very much of it's time wasn't it.
Dickie hosts the breakfast show now under the name Mark Whelan. The show is Mark and Catriona In The Morning.
The last time I saw Mark was at a PPI Awards night and it was just like meeting an old friend again. He was the same warm and welcoming guy I remembered and he seemed to be really enjoying his work and life in Limerick.
Check the show out on http://www.live95fm.ie/
You'll hear what all of those years of training and learning can do. Mark is a natural behind the mic, but I also know he works very hard at his craft.
His style is fun, informative and cheeky. He appeals to both Male and Female listeners (no easy thing) and I believe it's down to the fact that he comes across as real and sincere, no matter what he is talking about.
One of the good ones (as they say)!!
Clip of Mark (then Dickie) in his old A252 days:
