Since I moved back to Manchester, one of the fab bonuses among many is that Media City and the BBC is on my doorstep. It’s meant that for the past 10 years or so I’ve been an occasional commentator on local radio station BBC Manchester.
However, thanks to that, I was asked to do more national commentary and so for the last eight years or so, I’ve been a commentator, presenter’s pal and news reviewer on BBC 5 Live, as well as a commentator on the famous red sofa on BBC Breakfast.
It’s great fun – who doesn’t love a good chin-wag and sharing their observations on the latest news, entertainment and issues of the day??!
On that point, I was delighted to be asked to be ‘presenter’s pal’ on the new BBC 5 Live night time show with the very talented and lovely Sarah Brett. She’s a great broadcaster and really down to earth. I made my ‘debut ‘ last week, Wednesday night and was joined by the super talented Chris Washington who is a real blast – very naturally funny, laid back and an all round lovely guy!
I was glad to have Chris by my side, as among our topics were some fun, lighthearted ones, including dishwasher etiquette. I’m into dishwasher acrobatics myself – squeeze the very last bowl in I say!
But our first big and quite heavy subject at the start of the show was male mental health which, as many who know me will understand, is a subject close to my heart. I lost not only my beautiful, amazing and very talented late husband Steve to suicide in 2005, but also more recently, sadly a number of friends and colleagues.
In the past, I would avoid speaking too publicly about my loss as it was so traumatic and I’d easily end up in bits (seriously, I once sobbed on air many years ago) but I am so grateful now to get the opportunity to raise awareness and, as they say, ‘speak your truth even if your voice shakes’.
If you’re feeling lonely and need someone to talk to, do contact or call the Samaritans helpline on: 116 123 for free.
For advice on male mental health, contact CALM – https://www.thecalmzone.net
With love, Collette x
