My name is Peter Holmes. I was born in 1952 and grew up in Leigh on Sea, Essex. I was educated at Westcliff High for Boys and Nottingham University (BSc Civil Engineering).
I am a Chartered Civil Engineer by trade and worked for Northampton and Southend Borough Councils. Between 1980 – 1987 I worked for Thomas Cook Holidays & Thomson – lived in Morrocco, Tunisia and Spain and later worked in Greece, France, Yugoslavia, Austria. I speak French. I started working in radio in 1984 as a freelancer for Essex Radio, which became Essex FM and went full time in 1987.
In 2003 I returned to Civil Engineering as a Highway Engineer designing and implementing road safety schemes… then in 2010 I begun freelancing for BBC Essex at weekends. Then in 2013 I took over BBC Essex Weekend Breakfast Shows and begun my role as a Funeral Minister.
What is your favourite joke?
Two Bishops in a bed – which one’s wearing the nightie? Ans: Mrs Bishop!
What makes you smile?
Love
What is your favourite good news story?
One with a happy ending
What inspires you?
Seeing others succeed.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Donald Trump’s hair!
If you could have one superpower what would you choose and why?
The ability to travel through space because I want to sit on one of Jupiter’s moons and look at the enormous ball of gas!
What is your favourite food?
Sausage and garlic mash
What is your favourite drink?
Pint of Adnams Broadside
If you are going on holiday what luxury item would you take from home?
My wife Barbara
If you could make one law, what would it be and why?
Ban smoking – it would save the NHS a fortune!
Give us a random piece of information about you that people wouldn’t know?
I have a Triang TT gauge railway set!
What is your favourite phrase or saying?
Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana
What cause, project or event would you like to promote?
The CF Trust. Treatments have improved immeasurably meaning babies born with the condition can expect to live into adulthood, thanks to their fundraising and the fabulous work of people like Professor Andy Bush.
Who is your favourite music artist?
Bryan Adams
Who is the person that you feel has shaped your life most?
Jesus Christ
PJ’s or Not?
Hot or cold? Hot
Cat or dog? Dog
Blue or pink? Blue
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Glass half-empty or glass half-full? Half full
Pyjamas or not? Not – definitely!
Night out or night in? Night in
Pizza or pasta? Pasta
Biscuits or cake? Biscuits
Wine or beer? Beer
Football or rugby? Football
Cinema or theatre? Cinema
Gym or TV? Gym!!
Naughty or nice? Naughty (not arf!)
Silver or gold? Silver
Tent or hotel? Hotel
Bath or shower? Shower
Starter or pudding? Starter
Sheets or duvet? Duvet
Love Island or Game of Thrones? Game of Thrones
Finally, apple or banana? Banana of course!