PEOPLE
Love is in the air for radio star Rob
R
Oakham. OB Persani Rob recalls having has made to take his socks and connections shoes off to do his with show when the Easter generations of floods left his studio Rutlanders and under water. Stamfordians since he Social media and spoke the first words on emails now provide Rutland Radio 18 years rapid channels of ago. communication for But the popular listeners compared to breakfast show the old days of dial-up presenter made a internet and faxes. particularly special He has to get up impression on one of Rob Persani’s voice is unmistakeable for many people in Stamford at 5am on weekdays his regular listeners and and Rutland as one of the leading lights of the popular local radio to do his show in May she became his station. Nick Rennie went to Rutland Radio’s Oakham headquarters and recalls only wife. oversleeping once. He Rachel Harris replied to meet Rob and his new wife Rachel, who was a keen listener woke up 15 minutes to a request by the when they first met before his programme station for someone in was due to start the audience to act as but was 80 miles away at his mum’s house in charity and community events. a royal reporter following the birth of Prince Staffordshire. Fortunately a colleague filled in Rob says he feels privileged to be a part of so George nearly three years ago. until he finally arrived, 90 minutes late. many people’s everyday lives. She regularly chatted live on air to Rob about One of the highlights of his presenting career “You become like one of the family,” he said. the new royal arrival and finally met him at a thus far was watching the adventurer Sarah “The listeners who contact the show regularly charity event at Burghley House a few months Outen pass under Tower Bridge last year to have become as much a part of the show as I later. complete her remarkable London2London am. Rachel roared with laughter as she recalled: round the world trip in front of an army of “The first time I met Rob he was wearing a fairy supporters from Rutland and Stamford. tutu at an event for the Anna’s Hope charity He has interviewed some stellar celebrities which wasn’t the best look.” over the years but his favourites were Agnetha She became a regular listener after falling ill from Abba and his broadcasting hero, Sir Terry in 2012 with ME. Wogan. “I was at home a lot and I used to listen all the “I interviewed Sir Terry for 10 minutes and he time to Rob’s show,” said Rachel (38). was so friendly,” said Rob. “It was such a shock “Rob kept me going through his show when when he died recently. I genuinely shed a tear I was ill. I don’t think he realises how much he when I heard the news.” impacts on people’s lives.” Rob received an award two years ago from The couple, who live in Stamford, got the High Sheriff of Rutland, Trish Ruddle, to together at Christmas 2014 and, after gallantly honour his services to the community. He is asking her father’s permission, Rob finally also proud of the station’s 10 regional Radio proposed to Rachel in January, poignantly Academy Gold Awards. almost 19 years to the day his dad passed away. Rob, who also enjoys performing with the “I was bowled over by the reaction of people Rutland Musical Theatre company, added: “You “People don’t recognise my face when I go when listeners heard about our engagement,” become part of people’s lives in this job and our shopping but when I say something the penny said Rob (42), who now lives with his fiancée in listeners are very loyal. usually drops and they know my voice.” Stamford. “They are fiercely proud of the area they live He reads out children’s birthdays daily on “The phone didn’t stop with people in, both in Rutland and in Stamford, and the fact his show, which is between 6am and 11am on congratulating us and we got loads of cards. It that we are ambassadors for the area.” weekdays, and regularly visits local schools and was very humbling because I’m just a voice in • Rob Persani’s breakfast show is on Rutland many of these youngsters are now teenagers or their lives.” Radio on weekdays, adults who recognise him in the street. Rob has been the voice of Rutland Radio from 6am to 11am, on The job has changed immeasurably since the since it was launched in 1998. 107.2FM in Rutland early days when the station broadcasted from He prides himself on getting out and about and 97.4FM in a temporary cubicle while building work was to report live on occasions ranging from big Stamford. going on in its Melton Road headquarters in pop music concerts at Burghley House to small
Rob says he feels privileged to be a part of so many people’s everyday lives. “You become like one of the family, the listeners who contact the show regularly have become as much a part of the show as I am.”
18
18.indd 1
STAMFORD LIVING AUGUST 2016
21/07/2016 11:04