Robin Galloway and Boogie in ratings battle

HE’S the “cereal” prankster hoping to make toast of his radio rival when the pair go head-to-head in a battle of the breakfast ratings.

Cheeky DJ Robin Galloway – famously sacked by Real Radio for his part in a naked prank involving Labour leader Ed Miliband – will front a new weekday morning show to be broadcast across Scotland.

It puts Galloway, who currently presents a national Sunday show which goes out on Forth One, up against his colleague and station favourite Andrew “Boogie” Bouglas.

Boogie co-hosts Forth One’s weekday breakfast show alongside Arlene Stuart, and will now face tough competition in the shape of the Greatest Hits Network – which will broadcast on several of Bauer Media’s stations.

The controversial move has seen DJs on Forth 2, Clyde 2 Northsound 2, Tay AM and West Sound axed to make way for the new show.

A Bauer Media insider predicted the battle would shake up the radio landscape in Scotland by putting two of the nation’s top broadcasting names up against each other.

The insider said: “This has really put the cat among the pigeons. Boogie is brilliant but so is Galloway. Listeners are definitely going to be torn.

“The rumour is Galloway is going to be back to his old tricks and that’s bound to be a big draw if it’s the case, but Boogie has got a rapport with people that’s hard to break – and difficult for a rival to replicate.

“From a radio industry point of view it’s mouth-watering stuff and, to be honest, probably what we need. Audience share across the board hasn’t been good recently so this kick up the pants can only be a good thing.

“In terms of the breakfast showdown, though . . . well, I’m sure both boys will be setting their alarm clocks extra early so they can spring out of bed and get cracking on some award-winning stuff.”

Boogie has built up a 
reputation entertaining more than 100,000 listeners every morning for the last decade with his modest manner and self-deprecating humour.

In contrast, Galloway, who began his career with Northsound in Aberdeen, is famous for his crank calls including waking up former US president Bill Clinton and trying to deliver fake drugs to Jack McConnell.

But he went one joke too far and was sacked from Real Radio after telling producer Barrie Hodge to strip and streak in front of Mr Miliband.

In 2011, he made his return to the airwaves at Bauer Media, where he presents Clyde 1’s weekday drivetime show and a Sunday morning show going out on Clyde 1, Forth One, Tay FM, Northsound 1, 96.7 West FM and Moray Firth Radio.

He said: “Right now I’m pinching myself. To host a brand new breakfast show for Scotland is not only an honour but way beyond my wildest dreams.”

Graham Bryce, managing director at Bauer Media Scotland, said Galloway was one of the most talented presenters in Scotland.

He said: “Having him spearhead our Greatest Hit’s Network revitalisation and being the voice of the brands is a clear indication of how serious we are about these stations, investing in the best possible content for our listeners and winning new audiences.”