Media UK

Alan Freeman

Alan "Fluff" Freeman (born 6th July 1927 in Melbourne, Australia) is best known for presenting the BBC Radio One Rock Show, initially from 1973 to 1978 and later from 1989 to 1993, and Pick of the Pops, which he first hosted for the BBC in 1961 and, apart from brief interruptions in 1962 and 1963, continued to present until 1972, later reviving it on Radio 1 (1989-92) and Radio 2 (1997-2000). He also worked for Capital Radio from the late 1970s to 1988, reviving both Pick of the Pops and the Rock Show, and for Capital Gold (Pick of the Pops) and Virgin Radio (the Rock Show) in the 1990s.

Freeman's distinctive presenting style included the frequent use of classical music stings between records, and many memorable catchphrases such as "Alright, pop pickers? Alright!" and "Not 'arf!". His style has been much parodied, and he was the model for Harry Enfield's popular character "Dave Nice".

Other BBC presenters gave him his nickname "Fluff" early in his career, because of his habit of turning up for his show in woolly jumpers. During the 1960s, Freeman briefly attempted an acting career, notably in Dr Terror's House of Horrors, but his limitations were apparent, and in other films he has played himself.

Alan Freeman is now semi-retired, having given up Pick of the Pops in 2000. He was awarded the CBE in 1998.

Some or all material in this page has been adapted from the Alan Freeman entry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Freeman), or others, in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org), the free encyclopedia.