Mike Smith was one of the most loved broadcasters on Radio and Television, whether on Radio 1, Capital Radio, BBC TV or flying helicopters for hugely impressive ariel footage.
Mike was a Chelmsford lad, who attended KEGS (King Edward VI Grammar School), he would DJ at the Friday night sixth form disco and was a volunteer at Hospital Radio Chelmsford. He had a passion for motor sport and flying and it was the combination of all three that led to a very successful career.
It was a chance meeting with Noel Edmonds at a race meeting that shot Mike to stardom. Edmunds had a car failure, Mike was there with his, and offered it to Edmunds. This cemented their friendship and opened the door to a career in radio.
(Mike Smith aged 16)
Mike was already earning his broadcasting stripes in a caravan at St Johns Hospital. As a volunteer at Hospital Radio Chelmsford, he presented many programmes. Former Programme Controller Ken Oliver: “I well remember his first visits to the station usually having just come on from working at Civic Theatre. It was my delight to offer a show to Mike and in a small way to help nurture his obvious talent and skills in the radio environment.”
Tony Wright, another volunteer at the time: “I went to school with him. Mike was the guest of honour/DJ at the HRC 25th anniversary. His father worked for Ford and Mike was into racing. He got his break in radio (and later, TV) after lending his car to Noel Edmonds at a rally/race (can't remember which) when Noel's car broke down. During my time at HRC we still regularly received post for Mike though I didn't work on the station at quite the same time as him.”
Peter Fairhead is now an honorary member of Hospital Radio Chelmsford, and was a volunteer in those early days: “I didn't really know Mike as he was 3 years below me at school, but we became friends at Hospital Radio Chelmsford. I was working at Radio Orwell, when Mike got his elevated start in the smoke with Capital Radio. I remember travelling up to London for a Barry Manilow concert at the Palladium, and later joined Mike for a quick tour of the Euston Tower studios. My most vivid memory is of the 80mph drive along the Brentwood Bypass in thick fog about 3am in the morning afterwards!”
Mike joined 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, Mike occasionally broadcast when live outside broadcasts failed.
In June 1978, he joined London's Capital Radio and presented a variety of shows, until July 1980 where Smith became the breakfast show presenter. He moved back to BBC Radio 1 in 1982, presenting the weekday early show from 6 to 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 Radio 1 Breakfast Show from 7.00 to 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 Smith really missed being on the radio but not television
(Interview with Mike Smith starts at 4mins 10secs)
After having a successful radio career, Mike went on to tackle television, he teamed up with old buddy Noel Edmonds' for The Late, Late Breakfast Show (1984–86)
Other programmes included programmes like Thames TV's CBTV, BBC1 entertainment magazine shows Show Business (1983) and Friday's People (1985–87), That's Showbusiness (1989–96), and Julian Clary's Trick or Treat for ITV.
Smith was one of BBC TV's presenters at Live Aid in 1985. He helped found Comic Relief, although he kept a very low profile.
Smith presented BBC TV's Railwatch which aired live for five days in February 1989. Other large outside broadcasts included Hospital Watch, Airport Watch and the BBC coverage of The Royal Tournament.
Mike was a qualified helicopter pilot, and in 2004, Mike founded Flying TV – a company providing aerial filming services to broadcasters. As well as being Managing Director, Smith often acted as an aerial cameraman.
Mike married TV presenter Sarah Greene. They met whilst working on the London Marathon. Mike was working for Capital Radio, whilst Sarah was reporting for the BBC. It was raining, so Mike offered Sarah shelter in the Capital Cruiser, there relationship blossomed from there.
It was in September 1988, that both were seriously injured following a helicopter crash that Mike was piloting. Sarah broke both legs and an arm, whilst Mike suffered with a broken back and ankle. They became engaged a few weeks later and married the follow year. They never had children.
Ken Oliver, now a honorary member of Hospital Radio Chelmsford, recorded an interview with Mike in 1986, which had never been broadcast until now.
It is with much sadness that we share with you the passing of Mike Smith, the most successful of our volunteers.
Mike passed away on the 1st August 2014 in hospital after major heart surgery. His wife, Sarah and family were with him.
We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Sarah and Mike’s family for their loss.
Thanks to Ken Oliver, Tony Wright and Peter Fairhead for their contributions.
Sources: Wikipedia, BBC, aircheckdownloads.com and RadioToday
Mike Smith Tribute: Produced and Presented by Ken Oliver by Waterways Radio Productions for Hospital Radio Chelmsford.
Mike Smith Tribute: Produced and Presented by Ken Oliver by Waterways Radio Productions for Hospital Radio Chelmsford.
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