Steve Allen - Medley

It's often said that presenters are inimitable. Steve Allen truly is. His name may be common - his act is not.

He greeted me on my first day as MD of LBC in 2007; showed me to my office, sprawled on the black leather sofa and regaled me with stories about every single person I might bump into. I suspect he's lost count of all the bosses he's had over the years; and he's survived them all.

Steve's act is doing what we'd all love to do. Sit there, give our catty wisdom on the world and not give a damn. Pseudo-celebs beware. He has turned beautiful bitching into a delicious art form. And, largely, as he's intelligent enough to know the rules, he gets away with it with enviable success. Not quite always though: in 1994, a caller complained that Steve had been rude to him when he telephoned to offer his solution to the Bosnian war. The then regulator, the Radio Authority upheld the complaint, saying: 'We listened to a recording and agreed that the presenter had been rude to the caller, particularly in suggesting that the caller might be mentally ill.' In another case, a listener complained that his views had been 'rubbished' by Mr Allen. The Authority nodded, saying that 'the caller was publicly ridiculed in a way which was unacceptable'. But, given Steve's been on every day for decades, it's remarkable he has been clever enough to build a lasting home built on that fine line between acceptable and unacceptable.

He loves chatting - and could happily continue his show for a dozen hours each day. Callers are not essential, as he is usually funnier than they might be. He's also at his best slightly out of the peak-time spotlight. Seeing his ratings success, there was often a temptation for programmers to move him to daylight, but Steve's show is best cultivated as a secret to discover. No wonder his podcast numbers were so impressive; and his stage shows a sellout.

His career began at the United Biscuits Network, transferring to LBC in 1979. As can be heard here, his early career saw a more serious side to Steve.

Steve is a unique British broadcaster, much loved and respected by so many music radio breakfast presenters as they wake up and wend their way to work, envious of how he does what he does.