The Diasboro In2views: In a series of profiles and interviews, Orginal Fat Bob first gives his personal view on the life and career of a guest who is associated with football, before sitting down for a chat with them and asking a few questions to give the reader an insight into their career.
He has recently met up with a distinguished north-east media personality, who recalls what it was like and is like, to rub shoulders with footballing and show business heroes. The subject of the latest In2view is John Foster…
John has nearly 30 years of radio experience broadcasting in all formats, in major markets across the UK for the BBC, local and commercial radio groups including, Global Radio, Communicorp UK Emap, Metro Radio Group, The Wireless Group and also national radio experience at BBC Radio 5 Live.

He was the main host during times of breaking news at BBC Radio Tees, from the closure of the local steel works, Royal visits, to the fight to save Darlington Football Club. He has been involved with major outside broadcasts over a 15 year period and was a radio breakfast presenter for three years. He has also worked at BBC Radio Sheffield, Norfolk, Leeds, York, Humberside, Lancashire and Newcastle and heard in Australia on 720 ABC Perth as a UK contributor. Before the BBC, he worked in commercial radio, including presenting the number 1 rated breakfast show in the market at 96.6 TFM on Teesside.
He was RTS nominated for original journalism for BBC ‘Inside Out’ in the North East & Cumbria. He is also the live host for major events, corporate, charity fundraising and public speaking. More importantly (for the Diasborians), he is the stadium announcer at Middlesbrough Football Club and before that (whisper it !) he performed the same role at Sunderland AFC for nearly 20 years. His football experience also takes in Darlington, Spennymoor Town and Leeds United. He has also been the announcer at the old Wembley Stadium and for international games, including, England at The Stadium Of Light.
His wife Anna, married fellow radio presenter John in October 2009 at Crathorne Hall near Yarm, North Yorkshire. The family also have a son and a daughter. In May 2024, the BBC announced that Anna was one of six well-known BBC presenters to start presenting the BBC News at One from its new home at Salford studios at the beginning of June 2024. In March 2025, she was announced as one of five presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, replacing Mishal Husain.
I have known John and his wife Anna for many years and the first time we met was at dinner with Graham Robb, another media and PR Personality. We regularly keep in touch and of course I listen to his dulcet tones over the PA statement at every Boro home game.
OFB: Where did you spend your childhood?
JF: I was born and brought up in Middlesbrough on the Beechwood estate. Went to Beechwood Infants and Juniors and then had the long walk to Acklam Base schools on Hall Drive. I was at Boynton. I did two years at Acklam 6th Form (which I hated) and then got a job!
OFB: Can you remember seeing your first football match?
JF: Yes, Boro v Liverpool at Ayresome Park in 1978. I remember I was sitting on a crash barrier in the family enclosure. Getting off the Cleveland Transit Number 1 Saltersgill Circular and seeing the floodlights leading us down Clive Road to the ground was something you can never forget. The immaculate pitch, the smell of Bovril and the tannoy creaking into life with Bernard Gent. It all sounds like a cliche but it was just that for me. Boro lost by the way.
OFB: Whilst you were growing up,who was your favourite player?
JF: David Mills was my favourite Boro player. The Addidas kit with the white band was just magical. We used to go to Robin Hood’s Bay a lot on holiday and I use to kick a ball against the sea wall. A few people commented that it reminded them of Millsy. It was such an honour to have him on my BBC radio show a few years back. I was proper starstruck!! I remember seeing him driving out of Teesside Park a few years ago and ‘beeped’ me and gave me a wave… again starstruck!
OFB: Did you play football at youth level?
JF: Gawd no. I was in the school team but I was pretty useless!!

OFB: What was the decision that made you enter the media industry?
JF: In about 1984, my parents got me a little clock radio… the ones with the incredibly bright red LEDs. I put it on and tuned to Radio Tees 257 in Stockton and there was this bloke called Roger Lewis on with a programme called ‘Street Level.’ I thought that sounds like a cool job and the more I listened, the more hooked I became. Graham Robb and ‘Late On’ was a must listen and then to hear others like John Simons, Alex Lester, Mike Graham, Oscar Bellerby, Paul Robinson and others – it became addictive to me. I used to stay awake as late as I could.. closedown at 1am and then be there for the opening at 4:58am!!
OFB: You have interviewed many famous personalities over the years which ones were your favourites?
JF: I’ve managed to interview a lot like Sir Michael Palin, Roger Moore, Martha Reeves, Kate Winslet, Posh’n’Becks, Tony Blair, Chris Rea, David Coverdale, Paul Rogers and too many others to mention. I interviewed Mackenzie Thorpe, the world renowned artist from Middlesbrough and his story is just amazing. The way he articulated how he broke down barriers to do what he wanted is just inspiring. One of the others would be Ann Ming who changed the double jeopardy law in this country. She is just the most amazing woman and she took them all on and won!
OFB: You have also interviewed many famous footballers over the years, which were the most enjoyable?
JF: I got a big kick out of talking to former Boro players like John Hickton, Jim Platt, Peter Brine, David Hodgson, Mark Proctor, David Armstrong etc. But the 1986 team is probably my favourite. This was the team I grew up with and given the opportunity to talk to Gary Pallister, Tony Mowbray, Colin Cooper, Bernie Slaven, Paul Kerr, Bruce Rioch and the rest is a massive thrill.
I pinch myself when, for instance, Proc comes over to have a natter. I’m thinking ‘It’s bloody Mark Proctor!!!!

OFB: Have you ever tried to cover up an expletive accidentally made either by yourself or a guest whilst on air?
JF: I said ‘Bollocks’ once on the radio by accident. I just apologised and moved on. It is a heart stopping moment. I’ve had others swear on air…. and I mean really swear. Again, an apology was issued you move on. The text console lit up with people saying did I know someone had just sworn…. er… yes!
OFB: What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you whilst on air or whilst interviewing?
JF: There have been many… Ken Dodd doing his act while I was interviewing him. Gag after gag… I couldn’t speak for a couple of minutes. Interviewing Victoria Beckham and Dane Bowers about their song way back when, she went quiet for a couple of minutes and then proudly told us she’d just been to the loo and could we repeat the questions
OFB: Who are your favourite Footballers of all time?
JF: Growing up in the late 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool were the team so Kenny Dalglish would be on my list alongside Ray Clemence. Also the Boro 1986 team… that was so special and connected with the area 100%
OFB: Who is your current favourite footballer and why.
JF: Let me have a think about that
OFB: Name your 11 best first team Boro players and three substitutes.
JF: To be transported back to Ayresome Park just once more and see Tony Mowbray kick that ball aloft as he and the 1986 team head out of the tunnel to ‘The Power Game’ would do it for me!
OFB: What is your best, most memorable Boro game and why?
JF: ZDS Final 1990… Boro at Wembley for the first time. Chelsea play-off in 1988. People say it was a ‘Mickey Mouse Cup’ but it Middlesbrough at The Twin Towers. Last game at Ayresome Park which is now 30 years ago!!! How can that be????
OFB: What is the worst football game and experience to have happened to you?
JF: Chelsea 1997 FA Cup Final. Just got sat down and we were one down! Highfield Road, Coventry watching a game… The coldest I’ve ever been
OFB: Where do you think the Boro will end up next season?
JF: Champions…. natch!
OFB: Have you any amusing anecdotes during your career?
JF: As you know I did work up the A19 for a few years and really enjoyed my stint there. I do remember once having to announce ‘ Attention please, Could Mr ‘John Smith’ please make his way to Sunderland Royal Infirmary, Maternity ward with some haste as your wife needs you.’ It got the biggest cheer of the game!
In The Gatekeeper pub in Cardiff after the game and saying to two fans that we were going to be live on the air in a mo, please don’t swear. Ok they said! I go live
‘… and with us we have two fans, what do you think of the day? Oh it’s just f**king brilliant!’
Cut the interview, handed back to the studio and just looked at them with helplessness and said ‘ you swore’ One of them came back and said ‘oh sh*t, sorry!’ They bought me a pint though!
OFB: What’s the most glamorous location you’ve visited during your career?
JF: I was lucky that I got sent to Australia, America, Disney, around Europe a few times with my radio work and also the chance to have experiences like Wembley finals, big games dropped into my lap.
OFB: Do you have any regrets or unfulfilled dreams or ambitions to be realized ?
JF: No not really. I did have the chance to work in other parts of the country but I always wanted to stay in the North. But I may not have met Anna, had the kids and live in a nice part of West Yorkshire. So I don’t think it can count as a regret. I would like to write for TV but let’s see. There are a few people I wished I’d never met but it’s all part of the journey
OFB: If you hadn’t been a media personality what career do you think you would have been engaged in?
JF: Media personality!!!! don’t be silly. I really don’t know. My dad was a policeman, so I possibly may have followed him, who knows!
OFB: Finally in conclusion John, thank you for giving this In2view, it’s really appreciated by all of us and please give us a mention next time you’re on the microphone at the Riverside ! UP THE BORO
JF: I tell you to move your car!! No problem
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