Nick Ferrari - Medley

He's at the top of his game. Nick Ferrari combines the communications skill of a gifted radio presenter with the persistence of a press journalist and the wit of a comedian.

A serious journalist with a tabloid instinct who can sharpen any subject to a killer question; and reduce any interviewee to a wreck. If he chose. Yet all that tough meat is seasoned beautifully with a dash of humour as large as he is. A consummate story-teller.

In the midst of the most serious of topics, Nick can still volley a humorous aside with the listener. Like most great talk broadcasters, his performance entertains and the content informs. His style is unique; and his programme makes compulsive and often surprising listening. He is hugely intelligent, yet the programme remains utterly accessible. A journalist of the old sort: persistence and truth. Great broadcasters like Nick identify instinctively the headline, the drama, the story and often the humour in each moment. Then they squeeze out that value.

Nick Ferrari has held the breakfast spot on LBC since 2004. In that time, the programme has played a key part in the re-invigoration of LBC. The programme now makes headlines and helps to set London's agenda. Relationships with the UK's leading decision-makers have been built on mutual respect, so those individuals step forward to talk to him first. Regardless of the fact that he has that knack of being able to ask exactly the right question, in exactly the right way.

This truly gifted broadcaster is great company and a genuinely decent and generous guy, albeit thoroughly intolerant of those who do not do their jobs capably. He expects commitment; and his appreciation to those around him when they score for him is something to which they attach real value. Most people have to try very hard to do what Nick appears to do effortlessly.

I suspect we have yet to see Nick on his largest stage.