Mike Smith (television presenter)
Encyclopedia
Mike Smith (also known as Smitty – his "on air" nickname) is a British television, radio presenter, racing driver, pilot, and businessman.
, before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1975 as a freelance producer and presenter. His work included promotions and production work for the Radio 1 Roadshow, Quiz Kid and most daytime network shows. As a standby DJ he occasionally got on-air when live outside broadcasts failed. In June 1978 he joined London's Capital Radio
and presented a variety of shows until in July 1980 he became the breakfast show presenter. He moved back to BBC Radio 1
in 1982, presenting the weekday early show from 6–7 am and a Saturday morning show.
In 1983, Smith took over the weekday lunchtime show from 11.30 am–2 pm until March 1984, when he briefly left to present BBC Breakfast Time. He returned to Radio 1 in May 1986, taking over from Mike Read
on the breakfast show from 7.00–9.30 am, where he remained until exactly two years later. Mike admitted to Chris Moyles
in a BBC documentary aired in May 2010, “When Moyles met The Radio 1 Breakfast DJs”, that he really missed being on the radio but not television
. He was the presenter of the popular BBC1 entertainment magazine shows Show Business (1983) and Friday's People (1985–87). Noel Edmonds
' The Late, Late Breakfast Show
(1984–86), That's Showbusiness
(1989–96) and Julian Clary
's Trick or Treat for ITV.
He was one of BBC TV's presenters at Live Aid
in 1985. He helped found Comic Relief and presented several of the TV shows.
He presented BBC TV's Railwatch which aired live for 5 days in February 1989. Other large outside broadcasts included Hospital Watch, Airport Watch and the BBC coverage of The Royal Tournament.
He and Sarah Greene appeared as themselves in Ghostwatch
(1992).
In 2004, Mike founded Flying TV – a company providing aerial filming services to broadcasters. As well as being Managing Director, Mike often acts as an aerial cameraman.
He appeared on BBC TV's The One Show
in September 2009 in a TeleCopter feature.
were injured in September 1988 when the helicopter he was piloting crashed in Gloucestershire
. Both passengers survived, however, although Sarah broke both legs and an arm, and Mike suffered a broken back and ankle. He was cleared of blame following an investigation and continued to fly.
While still broadcasting Smith raced in several British Touring Car Championship
races as well, driving a newly homologated Sierra Cosworth
in 1987, and then alongside Frank Sytner
in 1988 with whom he often clashed in a BMW M3
. He also won the Willhire 24 Hour
at Snetterton
in 1986, driving a Ford Escort RS Turbo. Veteran commentator Murray Walker
remarked that Smith "guaranteed action by the bucket-load".
In 1989, Mike established a BTCC
team known as Trakstar with Robb Gravett. They ran 2 Sierra Cosworths, which had been imported from the Australian Touring Car stable of Dick Johnson
.
Gravett went on to become runner up in Group A, but Mike struggled with his recovery from the crash. However, loss of a major sponsor in 1990 meant that only one car could be run, which was raced by Robb Gravett who became champion. Mike never raced competitively again.
, where he was the resident DJ at the school Friday night sixth form disco, and married television presenter Sarah Greene
in 1989, soon after their 1988 helicopter crash.
Radio career
He began his broadcasting career at Chelmsford Hospital RadioHospital radio
Hospital radio is a form of audio broadcasting produced specifically for the in-patients of hospitals. It is primarily found in the United Kingdom.-History:...
, before joining BBC Radio 1 in 1975 as a freelance producer and presenter. His work included promotions and production work for the Radio 1 Roadshow, Quiz Kid and most daytime network shows. As a standby DJ he occasionally got on-air when live outside broadcasts failed. In June 1978 he joined London's Capital Radio
Capital Radio
Capital London is a London based radio station which launched on 16 October 1973 and is owned by Global Radio. On 3 January 2011 it formed part of the nine station Capital radio network.- Pre-launch :...
and presented a variety of shows until in July 1980 he became the breakfast show presenter. He moved back to BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
in 1982, presenting the weekday early show from 6–7 am and a Saturday morning show.
In 1983, Smith took over the weekday lunchtime show from 11.30 am–2 pm until March 1984, when he briefly left to present BBC Breakfast Time. He returned to Radio 1 in May 1986, taking over from Mike Read
Mike Read
Michael David Kenneth Read is an English radio disc jockey, writer, journalist and television presenter.-Early life:...
on the breakfast show from 7.00–9.30 am, where he remained until exactly two years later. Mike admitted to Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles
Christopher David Moyles is an English radio and television presenter and author, who currently presents The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1 and Chris Moyles' Quiz Night on Channel 4....
in a BBC documentary aired in May 2010, “When Moyles met The Radio 1 Breakfast DJs”, that he really missed being on the radio but not television
TV career
His TV career includes: Thames TV's CBTVCBTV
CBTV is cable channel 7 in Carroll and Glidden, Iowa. CBTV is under the ownership of Carroll Broadcasting Company. Carroll Broadcasting Company also owns KCIM, KKRL & KIKD radio.CBTV runs ads for local businesses and also airs local Football and Basketball games....
. He was the presenter of the popular BBC1 entertainment magazine shows Show Business (1983) and Friday's People (1985–87). Noel Edmonds
Noel Edmonds
Noel Ernest Edmonds, is an English broadcaster and executive, who made his name as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 in the UK. He has presented many light entertainment television programmes, including Multi-Coloured Swap Shop, Top of the Pops, The Late, Late Breakfast Show, Telly Addicts, Noel's Saturday...
' The Late, Late Breakfast Show
The Late, Late Breakfast Show
The Late, Late Breakfast Show was a BBC television light entertainment show broadcast live on Saturday evenings from 4 September 1982 to 8 November 1986. It was presented by Noel Edmonds, initially with co-host Leni Harper and also featured Mike Smith and John Peel...
(1984–86), That's Showbusiness
That's Showbusiness
That's Showbusiness is a television quiz show with celebrity teams answering questions about the entertainment industry. It aired on Monday nights on BBC1 between 1989 and 1996. It was presented by Mike Smith...
(1989–96) and Julian Clary
Julian Clary
Julian Peter McDonald Clary is an English comedian and novelist, known for his deliberately stereotypical camp style, with a heavy reliance on innuendo and double entendre.-Early life and education:...
's Trick or Treat for ITV.
He was one of BBC TV's presenters at Live Aid
Live Aid
Live Aid was a dual-venue concert that was held on 13 July 1985. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. Billed as the "global jukebox", the event was held simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom ...
in 1985. He helped found Comic Relief and presented several of the TV shows.
He presented BBC TV's Railwatch which aired live for 5 days in February 1989. Other large outside broadcasts included Hospital Watch, Airport Watch and the BBC coverage of The Royal Tournament.
He and Sarah Greene appeared as themselves in Ghostwatch
Ghostwatch
Ghostwatch is a British reality–horror/mockumentary television movie, first broadcast on BBC1 on 31 October , 1992.Despite having been recorded weeks in advance, the narrative was presented as 'live' television...
(1992).
In 2004, Mike founded Flying TV – a company providing aerial filming services to broadcasters. As well as being Managing Director, Mike often acts as an aerial cameraman.
He appeared on BBC TV's The One Show
The One Show
The One Show is a topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One and BBC One HD, hosted by Alex Jones and Matt Baker. Chris Evans joins Jones to present the programme on Friday...
in September 2009 in a TeleCopter feature.
Pilot
He is a qualified helicopter pilot. He and his then girlfriend (now wife) Sarah GreeneSarah Greene
Sarah Greene is a British television personality well known for presenting live TV: long-running series e.g. Blue Peter, from 19 May 1980 until 27 June 1983, Saturday Superstore, Going Live for 10 years and big event/awards shows.- Early life and career :Greene was born in London, England, the...
were injured in September 1988 when the helicopter he was piloting crashed in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
. Both passengers survived, however, although Sarah broke both legs and an arm, and Mike suffered a broken back and ankle. He was cleared of blame following an investigation and continued to fly.
Motor racing
Driving from the age of 8, he raced at the age of 14 in grasstrack events, building his own cars. In 1972, aged 17, he passed his test and took up motorsports in racing, rallying and rallycross. In 1976 he progressed to Formula Ford 2000 with the patrick Head-designed Sark. He was also a motorport commentator, mainly at Brands Hatch where he also, age 21, ran the marketing operation. It was through this that he became interested in broadcasting.While still broadcasting Smith raced in several British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
races as well, driving a newly homologated Sierra Cosworth
Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was a high-performance version of the Ford Sierra. It was the result of a Ford Motorsport project with the purpose of producing an outright winner for Group A racing in Europe.- Development :...
in 1987, and then alongside Frank Sytner
Frank Sytner
Frank Sytner is a British racing driver, a Life Member of the BRDC, and was the 1988 British Touring Car Champion, driving a BMW M3. He also won his class in 1990....
in 1988 with whom he often clashed in a BMW M3
BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
. He also won the Willhire 24 Hour
Willhire 24 Hour
The Willhire 24 Hour was an endurance race for production cars held at Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit in Norfolk, England between 1980 and 1994. Over the years, the race included both sports cars and saloon cars. Latterly, it was contested by competitors running in the FIA Group N specification...
at Snetterton
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit
Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Norfolk, England. Owned by MotorSport Vision, it is situated on the A11 road some 20 km north-east of the town of Thetford and 30 km south-west of the city of Norwich...
in 1986, driving a Ford Escort RS Turbo. Veteran commentator Murray Walker
Murray Walker
Graeme Murray Walker, OBE is a former Formula One motorsport commentator...
remarked that Smith "guaranteed action by the bucket-load".
In 1989, Mike established a BTCC
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
team known as Trakstar with Robb Gravett. They ran 2 Sierra Cosworths, which had been imported from the Australian Touring Car stable of Dick Johnson
Dick Johnson (Australian auto racing)
Dick Johnson is the owner of the V8 Supercar team Dick Johnson Racing and a former racing driver. As a driver, he was a five-time Australian Touring Car Champion and a three-time winner of the Bathurst 1000...
.
Gravett went on to become runner up in Group A, but Mike struggled with his recovery from the crash. However, loss of a major sponsor in 1990 meant that only one car could be run, which was raced by Robb Gravett who became champion. Mike never raced competitively again.
Personal life
He attended King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford)King Edward VI Grammar School (Chelmsford)
King Edward VI Grammar School, or KEGS, is a British grammar school located in the town of Chelmsford, Essex, England. It takes pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 — from Year 7 to 11 the pupils are exclusively male, although it becomes mixed in the sixth form .The present headteacher is Thomas...
, where he was the resident DJ at the school Friday night sixth form disco, and married television presenter Sarah Greene
Sarah Greene
Sarah Greene is a British television personality well known for presenting live TV: long-running series e.g. Blue Peter, from 19 May 1980 until 27 June 1983, Saturday Superstore, Going Live for 10 years and big event/awards shows.- Early life and career :Greene was born in London, England, the...
in 1989, soon after their 1988 helicopter crash.