Comic Parker lands Radio 6 job

Comic Cole Parker has landed a job on the BBC's new digital radio station alongside Craig Charles.

The pair are to present a weekly Friday-night show on BBC6 Music, the corporation's first national music station for 30 years.

Their show will mix funk music with comedy monologues and chat, written by Parker.

He told Chortle: "I've been writing for Craig Charles for quite a while. The BBC had been trying to persuade him to host a show and he finally said yes, as long as they agreed to two conditions - that he could choose 90 per cent of the music, and that he could choose who he worked with, and he chose me.

"It's going to swell my profile. Craig doesn't need the exposure, but the public doesn't know who I am - this can only help."

The duo have initially been signed up for six months from the station's launch on March 11, although Parker hopes the contract will be extended.

And he's not worried about producing enough material for a weekly show.

"I find the writing quite easy," he said. "Once I get on the computer and see it on screen, I can write stuff quite quickly."

Parker, who describes BBC6 Music as like London's old GLR station "but not so dull" says the show's definition of funk will be broad - from the likes of George Clinton to the funkier aspects of Led Zepplin. "The BBC put out a memo after our pilot asking if the rest of the station's music policy could be as impressive."

BBC6 Music will also feature Phill Jupitus, who is to host the breakfast show every day.

Published: 18 Feb 2002