Dave Parker

About Dave Parker

Dave Parker’s Quick Questions

Any hobbies?
I like trains. There. I said it. I’ll get my anorak.

What were you like at school?
When I was AT school - Quiet and reserved. But good fun to be around. I think. When I was a teacher, I was too nice to the students for my own safety and sanity. I really should have modelled myself on Mr Bronson from Grange Hill.

You get given an elephant – what do you do with it? You can’t give it away or sell it.
Let it have the spare room – and remind it that Dumbo is not a documentary.

You’re stranded on a desert island – what three things can’t you do without?
Sparkling mineral water, the internet … and the Guinness Book of Top 40 Charts.

What inspires you?
Young people who want to make something of themselves.

You win a million pounds on the lottery. What do you do?
Wonder how that happened as I never buy lottery tickets

What is your favourite word and why?
Throstle. I’ve got no idea what it means. I think it is some kind of bird, maybe. But there was a school near where I used to live called Throstle Farm School. You can really get your tongue around the word Throstle.

What are you not very good at?
Saying NO

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The ability to say NO

If you were a type of food, what would you be?
Cake. Obviously.

What would I find in your fridge right now?
Pate, unlimited supplies of chilled mash – and trifle. Lots of trifle.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would play the lead role as you?
Morgan Freeman. If you can play God and the USA President several times, you can certainly bring some enthusiasm to the role of Dave Parker.

You have written a biography – what is it called?
“I wish I could predict the lottery numbers as easily” (which is a bit ironic given an earlier answer!)

Your favourite holiday destination and why?
Jersey in the Channel Islands. Neat, compact and with some stunning scenery. Corbiere Lighthouse on the southwest corner is my most chilled-out location in the world. Instant relaxation.

Favourite ice cream flavour
Strawberry. No contest.

Your funniest / best joke?
I am the worst joke-teller in the world. So. Pass.

The quirkiest job you've ever had
For a year in the 80s – between teaching jobs – I was an Education Welfare Officer. In other words, a truant officer. A bit like a more politically correct and less creepy version of the child catcher with the big net in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

Your ideal job if you couldn't work in radio
Teaching, I guess. Loved it when I was doing it. Probably still would be if there had been any jobs in the 80s.

Any middle name(s) you'd rather we didn't know about?
Anthony. I am totally underwhelmed by it. But please DON’T call me David.

Tell us three facts about yourself that others might not know

I have a grade A ‘A Level’ in Art. I never took art. I can’t draw. But there was a guy at my school with the same name, and there was a mix-up with the certificates.
I gave Chris Moyles his first-ever job in radio. He was 14 at the time. I get half a page in his autobiography!
I drove a train when I was 14. A real train. On the actual railway. For 100 yards. The driver would probably have gone to prison these days!

Your number one pet hate .....
People who use ‘could of, would of, should of instead of ‘could HAVE, would HAVE, should HAVE’. Sorry folks. It is the teacher in me.

Favourite three films?

Back to the Future Trilogy (that counts as one, doesn’t it??)
Field of Dreams
Jaws (but definitely NOT Jaws 3 or 4)

Favourite three songs?

Dream a Little Dream Of Me – Beautiful South
Listen to Your Heart – the DHT Unplugged Version. NOT the one with the dance beat!
Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty – the full-length version

Favourite place in York and the surrounding area?
York Railway Museum. What’s not to like? And it’s FREE!

Favourite place in the world outside of North Yorkshire?
As above ….. Jersey!!

And finally, a quick fire round. Single word answers, please

Coffee or tea?- NEITHER

Beer .. or wine .... or? - ORANGE GIN

Starter or pudding? - BOTH

Mornings or nights? - NIGHTS

Monday or Friday? - FRIDAY

Sunshine or snow? - SUNSHINE

The Simpsons or Family Guy? - FAMILY GUY

Rice or Chips? - CHIPS

Double Maths or Double PE/Games? - MATHS!!!!