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BOB STAUNTON, A FABRICATION - JUST A BIT OF FUN
Tommy Boyd shocks radio audience with revelation.
On Saturday 23rd April 2005, Tommy Boyd revealed that after 6 months, he was the brains and voice behind one of BBC Southern Counties most notorious, and celebrated, late night presenters, Bob Staunton. The spoof host's true origins were revealed after staging a fake fight between the "two" presenters. Legions of fans rallied for and against both presenters as a spoof rivalry was fabricated. Many callers wanted to see either Tommy or Bob fired; and for most there was no middle-ground: You either loved Bob and hated Tommy; or the reverse. For a lot of the loyal internet fanbase, this was an hysterical situation.
Soon after the host with outrageous viewpoints made his debut on the 6th November 2004, a spoof website devoted to him with fake pictures added to the cult that spawned. The "real" Bob Staunton (pictured) was none other than a Yorkshireman named John Morgan, who relished in participating in the wind-up.
Studio producer Allison Ferns said “It was astonishing. Half the callers believed Bob should be fired, while the other half wanted Tommy to be sacked. Some said it was a disgrace and others said that hearing a punch-up was the most fun they’d heard for a long time. We even had people turning up at the door to find out what was going on”.
Tommy Boyd owned up “I wanted to do something different to show up our blind loyalties and prejudices. The presenters at Southern Counties are such a nice bunch it wouldn’t have worked to instigate a genuine feud, so I came up with a bogus character who is the opposite to me. The Station boss Neil Pringle went along with it and gave “Bob” his own show.”
Managing Editor Neil Pringle commented; “Over the six months that we had “Bob” on air, opinion on his style and views was evenly divided, despite the fact that his opinions became increasingly bizarre. To our amazement some listeners agreed with him that, for example, young people should be force fed cakes, because when they are obese they cannot commit crimes. I think a lot of people enjoyed the extremities of his thinking, and loved the conflict between the two.”
Boyd added; “Bob’s fans didn’t mind him being drunk on air, admitting that he’d been an armed robber, calling for rap singers to be pistol-whipped, or advising listeners on how to build a man-trap. In fact, quite a few of them seemed to be a bit like-minded. I think the majority of listeners understood what was going on and sat back to enjoy the rest of the fans arguing on air over whether Bob or Tommy had the right perspectives.”
Bob Staunton Southern Counties Complete Collection
November 2004 to April 2005
STAUNTON DEBUT 06/11/04
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Tommy Boyd's replacement for the first hour of the show, Bob Staunton debuts his show and it's GREAT! (approx 5 minutes)
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STAUNTON'S 3RD SHOW 20/11/04
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This week Bob continues with recipe of the week, listener polls on Iraq and takes a few calls with the help of Sandip (approx 20 mins).
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STAUNTON'S 5TH SHOW 04/12/04
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More Staunton fun with topical issues, Bob's wife calling, Stella calling yet again on important issues of our time. Cracking stuff! (approx 32 mins)
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STAUNTON'S 6TH SHOW 11/12/04
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Muld wine, the EU, Nuclear Weaponry, a Staunton impersonator, complaints and the ever lovely Sandip. (approx 31 mins)
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STAUNTON'S 8TH SHOW 08/01/05
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Bob and Sandip are back discussing Elvis' birthday, and Judith calls in to praise Bob's show and voice her disgust about Tommy Boyd's. (approx 33 mins)
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STAUNTON'S 9TH SHOW 15/01/05
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Bob apologises for complaints, a rivalry over Tommy Boyd arises, and Judith calls again supporting Bob and opposing Tommy. (approx 35 mins)
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STAUNTON'S 10TH SHOW 22/01/05
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Bob's mixing Ibuprofen with White Wine after a bad case of grout, more callers including Bob's webmaster, and of course, Sandip. Caller Judith extends the show by 10 minutes with a lengthy chat with Bob. (approx 39 mins)
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STAUNTON'S 12TH SHOW 19/02/05
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Bob Staunton is back after ANOTHER week of suspension. And he's got views on Foxhunting among other things. (approx 35 mins)
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STAUNTON'S 16TH SHOW 16/04/05
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Another few weeks have flown by for Bob's penultimate show (approx 37 mins). Thanks to Kayotix for the original upload.
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STAUNTON'S 17TH AND FINAL SHOW 23/04/05
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The final Bob Staunton hour on BBC Southern Counties. A fight with Tommy Boyd ends his tenure with a bang (approx 41 mins) Thanks to Kayotix for the original upload.
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THE FIGHT 23/04/05
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BBC Presenters Bob Staunton and Tommy Boyd fight live on air on Southern Counties Radio. Hear the fight that jammed the BBC switchboards here and the build up to it. (approx 5 and a half minutes)
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OLD LADY COMPLAINS 23/04/05
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She's marching down to London! She sticks up for Staunton and can't stand Tommy Boyd. Just one example of the opposition Tommy faces in the face of Bob Staunton fans... (approx 7 minutes)
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