Mike’s first steps in Radio commenced in 1980 when he became a presenter at Piccadilly Radio in Manchester. Mike’s distinctive regional accent allowed him to become the first mainstream commercial radio presenter, helping pave the way for, amongst others, Gary Crowley, Terry Christian, Chris Evans and Mark and Lard.
Over the next 18 years Mike built up a huge following in the North West of England. His listeners drawn to his forthright, opinionated and honest views being delivered with both humour and warmth. During his time with Piccadilly Radio Mike worked on all the key daytime show, including 10 years as the host of the sought after breakfast show.
Mike developed and presented SWEENEYS SIXTIES CLASSICS which was the first specialist sixties programme on commercial radio. Mike made enough of an impression on Chris Evans during his tenure at “Picc Radio” to warrant a chapter in his autobiography! SWEENEYS SIXTIES CLASSICS also made the journey from the North West to the airwaves of the UK’s capital, and remained on-air with Mike until 2009, having been invited to join Capital Radio’s classic hits station, Capitol Gold in London. In his 10 years with Capital Gold Mike again presented on all of the key daytime slots.
When not presenting on the Radio, Mike has worked across a number of Television programmes including, for BBC North West, The young enterprise show. For Sky Mike appeared on Elvis has just left the building and the Sky’s Classic car series. In addition to these, Mike has been a regular on Channel M’s The Manchester United debate show.
When it comes to awards, Mike is no stranger to winning. In 1999 and 2000 SWEENEYS SIXTIES CLASSICS was a finalist in the New York Radio Awards, which in 2001 Saw him take the award of a New York Gold. The following year, Mike won the Silver Music broadcaster award at the Sony’s, (the radio industry’s BAFTA), and in 2008 Mike was nominated for Radio presenter of the year by X-trax Magazine.
During this time Mike presented the Sunday breakfast show on XFM Manchester 2006-2008, and was honoured to be the co-presenter on the late Tony Wilsons legendary music show.
2008 saw Mike join the Guardian Media group as part of the launch team for Rock Radio, the UK’s first classic rock station, and in 2009 Mike was once again the recipient of another award, this time for the breakfast programme which saw him receive the GMG “Presenter of the Year”.
In 2011 Mike was given a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Radio Academy and then in 2012 he was awarded the Variety Children’s Charity “Radio Industry Legend” award, at this time he was presenting RADIO 2012 for BBC 5 LIVE.
2013 Mike began presenting SWEENEYS MILLION SELLERS nationally on Smooth Radios 70’s station. SWEENEYS SIXTIES CLASSICS was also re-launched at this time on Sunday afternoons for BBC Radio Manchester.
At the start of 2014 Mike realised a career ambition when he joined BBC Radio Manchester full time to present the Morning Programme which he is still currently presenting.
In 2017, Mike was nominated for two major industry awards, an ‘Aria’ ( formally the Sony Awards), and a ‘Gillard’, the BBC’S equivalent. Mike garnered a Bronze ‘Aria’ and a Gold ‘Gillard’, which he was again nominated for a in 2018.
Some random fun facts about Mike:
- Born in Salford in 1947 to a working-class, Catholic family of Irish descent. He left school at 15 with a Cycling Proficiency Certificate and a bronze medal for lifesaving!
- Joined his first Rock ‘n’ Roll band as the vocalist in 1965, achieving nothing whatsoever until 1977, when his Punk/New Wave band ‘The Salford Jets’ signed their first record deal.
- In 1980, he and The Jets had their first – and only – hit with ‘Who You Looking At’ which peaked at No72.
- Appeared on several national TV shows with The Jets including a career-highlight appearance on ‘The Basil Brush Show’.
- Mike has been a broadcaster in the UK for 38 years
- He did ‘real’ jobs between 1963 and 1980, including working as a coal miner, dock worker, building site labourer and a van driver. Not at the same time, obviously.
- Played football for Bury Reserves, one game for Manchester United’s B-team (all in his mid-30’s) and played for Manchester United’s over-35 team for many years. He finished at a non-league level in 2007, but still plays 5-a-side. He still has a reputation as the dirtiest player ever to lace a pair of boots.
- Passionate (and occasionally knowledgeable) about : football, classic cars, grass roots politics, the north of England and the working classes, music (from the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the 50’s through to the present), the 60s, Britain’s industrial heritage, films and of course ….radio.
