John Marsh (newsreader)
Encyclopedia
John Marsh is a freelance newsreader on BBC Radio 2
.
"Boggy", as he has been nicknamed by Terry Wogan
, is from Sussex, and was originally a cameraman. However, a radio opportunity came up, and he ended up in BBC Radio 4
. In 1982 he transferred to Radio 2. Marsh presented various radio shows, but recently became a freelance newsreader, after taking retirement. He frequently contributed to Wake Up To Wogan
, joining in the banter with the late Paul Walters
and Wogan himself.
He was the original (uncredited) announcer on the first two radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
on Radio 4, and returned, credited, to this role in the third, fourth and fifth series made in 2004 and 2005.
It is also his voice heard reading the shipping forecast
at the end of the Thomas Dolby
song Windpower
.
"Boggy" is also the star of the "Janet and John" stories that Sir Terry reads, after letting slip that his wife was called Janet. These stories often take the form of John parting Janet's company, doing something, returning to Janet to explain the day's events (most of which form double entendres), Janet being displeased and John being attacked - finishing the tale with the words "Poor John" or "Run John, Run". These stories are sold in a book and five CDs - see here - to raise money for Children in Need
.
Marsh's newsreader companions were:
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
.
"Boggy", as he has been nicknamed by Terry Wogan
Terry Wogan
Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE, DL , or also known as Terry Wogan, is a veteran Irish radio and television broadcaster who holds dual Irish and British citizenship. Wogan has worked for the BBC in the United Kingdom for most of his career...
, is from Sussex, and was originally a cameraman. However, a radio opportunity came up, and he ended up in BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
. In 1982 he transferred to Radio 2. Marsh presented various radio shows, but recently became a freelance newsreader, after taking retirement. He frequently contributed to Wake Up To Wogan
Wake Up to Wogan
Wake Up to Wogan was the most listened to radio show in the United Kingdom and the flagship breakfast programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The show was presented by Sir Terry Wogan who fronted WUTW from 4 January 1993; he had previously presented the breakfast show between 1972 and 1984, but the...
, joining in the banter with the late Paul Walters
Paul Walters
Paul Walters was a BBC radio and TV producer, most noted for his work and appearances on Sir Terry Wogan's BBC Radio 2 breakfast show Wake Up to Wogan, where he was known to millions as "Dr Wally Poultry"...
and Wogan himself.
He was the original (uncredited) announcer on the first two radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy series created by Douglas Adams. Originally a radio comedy broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 1978, it was later adapted to other formats, and over several years it gradually became an international multi-media phenomenon...
on Radio 4, and returned, credited, to this role in the third, fourth and fifth series made in 2004 and 2005.
It is also his voice heard reading the shipping forecast
Shipping Forecast
The Shipping Forecast is a four-times-daily BBC Radio broadcast of weather reports and forecasts for the seas around the coasts of the British Isles. It is produced by the Met Office and broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The forecasts sent over the Navtex...
at the end of the Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...
song Windpower
The Golden Age of Wireless
The Golden Age of Wireless is a 1982 album by Synthpop pioneer Thomas Dolby. The album is notable for containing the pop hit "She Blinded Me with Science" in its later resequencings...
.
Wake Up To Wogan
Marsh took compulsory retirement at the age of 60 in February 2007. Up until then Marsh's duties on Wake Up to Wogan included reading the news, weather and traffic. He continues to read the news on the network. His appearance on Wogan was confined to week long events approximately every three weeks. This continued until December 2009, when Terry Wogan retired from his daily broadcasts."Boggy" is also the star of the "Janet and John" stories that Sir Terry reads, after letting slip that his wife was called Janet. These stories often take the form of John parting Janet's company, doing something, returning to Janet to explain the day's events (most of which form double entendres), Janet being displeased and John being attacked - finishing the tale with the words "Poor John" or "Run John, Run". These stories are sold in a book and five CDs - see here - to raise money for Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
.
Marsh's newsreader companions were:
- Alan DedicoatAlan DedicoatAlan Dedicoat is an announcer and on various programmes on BBC One and BBC Radio 2; he is probably best known as the "Voice of the Balls" on the National Lottery programmes on BBC One. He also reads the news on BBC Radio 2 where he is nicknamed Deadly.-Early Life:He was born on 1 December 1954...
- Fran GodfreyFran GodfreyFrances Helen Godfrey is a BBC Radio 2 newsreader, most famous for her appearances on Wake Up to Wogan, the highest-rated radio show in Britain...
- Charles NoveCharles NoveCharles Alexis Nove born in London, is a long standing news and continuity voiceover announcer for BBC radio and television. In recent years he has provided holiday relief for BBC Radio 2 and what used to be Saga Radio in Scotland, and following John Marsh's retirement in February 2007 he became...
- Ricky Salmon
