Robert Kirkwood Presenter and Producer, Talking Books  

Robert Kirkwood  in our  studios

Not only does Robert produce and present the Talking Books show on Insight Radio, and work on this very website, he also produces The Daily Lunch and presents a variety of features each day including our 'Mythbusters' features and the daily TV guide.  

Robert is from Ayrshire in Scotland where he DJ'd, hosted pub quizes, and worked as a ski technician and winter sports instructor for many years until he decided to go back to study again.  

After graduating with a degree in Media Theory and Production, Robert got a job working for a charity called Listening Books - The National Listening Library, in London's South Bank. He was the Engineer and Producer in charge of Studio 1 at Listening Books, developing audio packages for many commercial companies and recording audio books with a variety of actors and narrators. One of Robert's highlights from this time was working alongside former Controller of BBC1, the late Sir Bill Cotton, producing and directing him as he narrated his autobiography.  

After two years, The Director of Listening Books returned to his former job at RNIB as the Manager of the new Digital Talking Books studios, and Robert joined him there as a Studio Engineer. Robert worked with Talking Books in London's Camden Town for a further three years, recording everything from Postman Pat to Charles Dickens, and working with a multitude of wonderful narrators, actors, celebrities and authors.  

When RNIB Scotland started producing books in Glasgow, Robert decided the time was right to return to Scotland and he secured a secondment to the RNIB Scotland transcription centre, recording everything from Scottish Talking Books, to utility bills and, memorably, even an audio guide to medicine for your dog's anus!  

As Insight Radio was on the floor above the transcription centre, he was drafted into doing occasional recording and technical jobs for the station which, over time, became more and more frequent.  

Eventually Robert was asked to stay in Scotland and split his time evenly between Insight Radio and Transcription before finally going full time with Insight Radio in 2007.  

Robert says "Given my history with the Talking Books service, it was an obvious choice for me to do the daily Talking Books programme. The show has given me the chance to chat to some of my favorite narrators, actors and engineers from the Camden studios on air including Garrick Hagon, Steve Hodson,  Ross Burman and head of the Camden Studios Daryl Chapman. I also get to introduce some great audio books!"     

An Insight Into The World of Robert Kirkwood  

Talking Books being recorded live at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

When was your first show on Insight Radio?  

I hosted a few "Insight' shows (which later became the Daily Lunch) and have filled in on every single show both behind and in front of the microphone, but the first episode of my own show, Talking Books, was broadcast on the 2nd of July 2007.  

What's the best advice you've been given?  

Be yourself.  

What annoys you most?  

Ignorance and aggression  ... and bad beats at poker.

What has been your greatest achievement?  

I'd say having my son, but I was more of an observer, so I'll nominate my Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award  

Tell us one thing that Insight listeners would be surprised to learn about you?  

I'm a fully qualified snowboard instructor.  

What is your favourite album?  

The Cure - Disintegration  

What is your favourite film?  

Star Wars  

Who has been the most famous person you've met?  

I've been lucky enough to meet a number of celebrities during my time at the Talking Books Studios in Camden, including Michael Palin, Sir Ian McKellan, and Sir Bill Cotton but, outside of work I've met Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takei, James Doohan, Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols and if you don't know, that's the crew of the Enterprise from the original series of Star Trek (minus Captain Kirk who I've yet to track down!)

What has been your most embarrassing moment?  

I once skied over my own thumb and broke it.  

Describe your perfect day.  

Either a day spent with my family or a day spent in the mountains with my snowboard.