Scriptwriter, Broadcaster, Former Dazman, or Scapegoat in Radio One's "Dumbing Down" campaign; It's certainly hard to be ambivalent to Danny Baker.

It's been said by some that the "Cockney Cowboy" doesn't play North of Watford, his urban know it all style representing everything they despise, but to others including Former Radio One Controller Matthew Bannister and radio Critic Gillian Reynolds, there's no doubt Radio is the ideal medium for his ornate windups, anecdotes and tomfoolery.

To many like myself his Tour De Force was the award winning "Morning Edition" on Radio 5, which became a haven for huge numbers of A&B twenty-thirty something's. In between Big John and the Buzzards and Steely Dan tracks, P.G.Wodehouse quotes, and obscure sound bites, callers rang in with tales of Finding Money in the Street and Banking With Fairgrounds.

On 9th May 2005, Danny won a prestigious SONY Award for DJ of the Year, and the following morning announced he would be leaving the Breakfast Show at the end of the month. BBC London said he was taking "an extended holiday" but would "definitely" return to the station. Danny's agent said he wanted to write a film script for TV Channel Five.

On 17th October 2005 Danny returned to the station in the 3-5pm Weekday Afternoon Slot. "How about', they said, 'coming back and doing what you do - but this time in a way that would NOT require you to get up at 4.44am?'.

I must say the boldness and risk inherent in the scheme both fascinated and, yes, intimidated me. NOT getting up while it was still dark eh? Why those crafty, crazy mad BBC London so-and-so's..."

In 2006 Danny was the Bronze Sony Entertainment Award winner for his afternoon show and since March 2007, in addition to his BBC London Weekday Show, Danny has also been doing a regular All Day Breakfast Show Podcast.

Read Stuart Maconie's Biography