Spilman, Nick

Nick joined the BBC as a studio manager in 1979. He was a BBC Radio 4 announcer (1984 – 1985) and a BBC TV network announcer (1985 – 1986). He then moved within the Presentation department, producing trails and later working on new production systems for the new Broadcast Centre. He unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of one of Esther’s news boys in That’s Life! at the old Shepherd’s Bush TV Theatre in 1991. He did radio presenting from the Falklands and is currently the channel voice for Horse and Country TV.

Correspondence

Paul R. Jackson corresponded with Nick in February 2018 and asked him about his career: “Announcing shifts at BBC TV were always great fun (as part of a network team, as you probably know). There were numerous breakdowns and callers always ringing to complain about the choice of fill-in music (sometimes to ask where they could get hold of it). The new identities were always controversial – viewers couldn’t understand for example why we introduced ‘TWO’ (spelt out) instead of a number (it didn’t last). I had a studio invasion once from The Old Grey Whistle Test – normally in studio B just along the corridor. And with CBBC sharing the same studios as us, I had a couple of very forgettable starring roles with my dear friend Edd the Duck!

“1983 was the year I was in the Falklands. We had a studio in Port Stanley, but broadcast from all over the Islands: in the air on a Hercules, out at sea on board various naval vessels (can’t say too much), and with a group of female dancers flying in a Lynx helicopter (again can’t say too much, but for different reasons!). We became BBC Broadcast and then Red Bee Media – which I left in 2009. Highlights were meeting Tony Curtis for a BAFTA shoot, on duty for Live Aid and the odd Royal Wedding, and in the studio for the day celebrating Bill Cotton’s time at the BBC with Sir Bruce, Ernie Wise and Mike Yarwood (and with him of course many more!!). In 2011/12, I became the voice for Horse and Country and yes still there (with my wife also)!”

Personal information

Clips of Nick on The TV Room

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Online presence

Acknowledgements