Sarah Gorrell

BBC radio presenter, mighty single mum of four

Studied law. Visions of sweeping round court in a dramatic fashion. Realised more likely to be involved in petty disputes than high court drama . Relocated dramatic sweeping ambitions to radio.

Gathered experience. University Radio Nottingham, BBC Nottingham, commercial radio. Non-glamorous overnight presenting shifts on industrial estates.

London and post-graduate diploma in broadcast journalism followed by Lantern Fm. Afternoon presenter, voice of the Lantern gnome.

Then Plymouth Sound. BBC Cornwall and the regional evening share. Populated by poetry reading regulars. Braved the backlash of banning poetry. Boosted the audience. Introduced diverse voices. One of them, a dominatrix, got Sarah her first Sony (Radio Academy) nomination. Two more Sonys followed then some network presenting.

Finally Brighton breakfast. A Frank Gillard award when a listener invited Sarah to follow through her gender reassignment surgery. Now to be found discussing anything from bereavement to whether naturists bare bottoms are socially acceptable in a pub environment.