Discover Mark Cummings

Mark's Media Career

Enjoy the stories of a career full of amazing “moments”, from encounters with Prime Ministers and literary legends, to ridiculous challenges often leading to a whole heap of trouble.

Mark Cummings

Mark’s media career started as a sports reporter in 1982 at the age of 16 at Pennine Radio broadcasting across West Yorkshire. Having cut his teeth at this hugely popular commercial station he moved to a similar role at BBC Radio York. This was followed by a presenting role at BBC Radio Nottingham in 1988 before moving to the South West. At BBC Radio Gloucestershire he hosted the Breakfast Show for 18 years winning numerous Frank Gillard awards for Best Breakfast Show and Best interactive Radio Show, the BT News Broadcaster of the Year for the South West, Outstanding contribution to Gloucestershire at the Gloucestershire Live Business awards in 2023 and last but not least, he received an award from The Plain English Campaign for “battling gobbledygook and exposing evasive and misleading language.”

'On Air' Radio Highlights

Most surprising interview

David Cameron got a little confused about the geography of Gloucestershire, a county he claimed “he knew very well.” He made an embarrassing pre-election gaff about Stroud which was shared across the world https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXU6tAjapiA .

Scariest outside broadcast

Hosting his show from the top of the Severn Bridge.

Most joyful interview

Meeting and chatting at length to the real Rosie who was Laurie Lee’s inspiration for Cider with Rosie.

Angriest listener reaction

Mark risked his life by admitting he thought Cliff Richard’s The Millennium Prayer was “excruciating rubbish” and was hit with a backlash so vicious, all that was left of him was his teeth. The local paper headline read, “Cliff Richard Appreciation society brand presenter as the anti-Christ”.

Most honoured role

As the Mock Mayor of Barton (a non-political role bestowed in commemoration of Charles II’s actions during the civil war), Mark enjoyed a year of nincompoopery and events such as such as being suspended on a zipwire over Gloucester’s Gate Streets, a tug of war battle with the real mayor in front of the crowd at Kingsholm Rugby Stadium and a week-long walk across Gloucestershire to nine other places named Barton.

Biggest physical challenge

Mark walked from Gloucester to London in the footsteps of Dick Wittington over 9 days to be greeted by the Lord Mayor of London. Along the way he told the story of the real Dick Whittington whose altruistic financial legacy is still being used today for good causes.

Here are some behind the scenes examples of of Mark’s favourite radio moments

Mark's Television Career

Mark has presented several series on BBC Points West travelling around the West Country exploring the places people pass every day without knowing what lies behind the façade. He’s been inside the water tower on the Downs in Bristol, to the top of the famous Wellington Monument in Somerset, into the ghost village of Imber on Salisbury Plain, onto the mysterious Isle of St Twrog under the Severn Bridge, following the River Frome where it flows hidden beneath the streets of Bristol and staying underground to explore the tunnels under Bath Spa.

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Finally, the most bizarre career moment

This came after writing a spoof comedy piece about stepping on Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s toes by opening a fete in the interior designer’s home village. Mark jokingly claimed he had been kidnapped and beaten up by the TV legend with a warning to get of his “manor” (clearly not true). Mark was somewhat surprised when a Mail on Sunday journalist rang the BBC for a quote about a piece he was about to publish saying “BBC presenter claims he was kidnapped and held hostage by TV Changing rooms star.” To find out what happened next read Mark’s book, Glorious Gloucestershire.