Janice Long
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Janice Long (born April 5, 1955) is a Liverpudlian radio broadcaster in the UK, the sister of TV personality Keith Chegwin and radio and television PR man Jeff Chegwin.
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[edit] Early career
Having tried out a career in the airline business and then living in Amsterdam for almost a year in a tent, Janice found her spiritual home in radio as a station assistant at BBC Radio Merseyside in Liverpool.
She then started presenting shows for the station shortly after and became known for her live "Streetlife" sessions. This show was lucky enough to coincide with a revival in the Liverpool music scene with many local new wave artists such as Echo & the Bunnymen, Pete Wylie, Hambi and the Dance, Afraid of Mice, The Icicle Works and China Crisis.
[edit] Radio 1
After being interviewed by Paul Gambaccini, Janice joined Radio 1 in 1982, presenting a Saturday evening show between 7:30 - 10pm. For several years (1984-87) she presented the Monday - Thursday evening show from 7.30-10pm & Singled Out on Friday evenings from 5.45-7pm.
The Evening show is a precursor of the later shows of Steve Lamacq and Zane Lowe, playing a wide range of music (especially of the indie-rock and dance genre) and including a number of features including a weekly "diary" by John Walters, who at the time was John Peel's producer. She was the only female DJ allowed to host Top of the Pops or do Roadshows.
At the end of 1987, Janice was fired from Radio One for being pregnant and unwed to her now partner of 20 years. However then Radio One controller Johnny Beerling claimed she was offered a weekend show on return from maternity leave, which she refused.
[edit] GLR and Radio 5
In 1989 she joined London station BBC GLR, taking over from Nick Abbot on the Breakfast show. At the time, GLR was being run by future Radio 1 controller Matthew Bannister and future Radio 1 executive Trevor Dann. In 1991, she left the Breakfast show of her own volition but continued to work for the station, where she took over a Weekend show. In addition to this, she was heard presenting and producing occasional shows on the old BBC Radio 5. Janice became involved with XFM in London, when it had a restricted service licence and became a crucial part for its bid for a permanent licence.
[edit] Crash FM
In 1995, Janice moved back up to Liverpool, where she set up her own Radio station, Crash FM. With support from Bob Geldof, Boy George, and Primal Scream amongst others, she put together an RSL and a successful bid for a permanent licence.
[edit] Radio 2
In 1999 she started appearing on the rejuvenated BBC Radio 2, presenting a Saturday afternoon show from 3pm to 6pm.
Since 2000, she has been a weekday presenter and hosts a show between midnight and 3am Sunday to Thursday from the BBC's studios in Birmingham, the city where she now lives with her family. Live music has included includes sessions from The Stranglers, Paul Weller, Morrissey, Moby, Dandy Warhols, Stereophonics, Aslan , and a significant number of new and unsigned bands. You can send demos to her show at Janice Long, Radio 2, BBC, The Mailbox, B1 1RF
As well as a daily show on Radio 2, Janice can also be heard on BBC WM on Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm. Janice also had a spell presenting The Dream Ticket on BBC 6Music, which ran from 9pm to midnight - Janice would present both shows from the same studio.
[edit] Other Work
Janice has also presented shows on BBC 6 Music from the station's inception. She has recently appeared on the X Factor, Countdown, The Biography Channel and is about to be the voice on Desperate Midwives on BBC 3 TV.
