Laura Sayers — Frequently Asked Questions
She may be gone but she’s not forgotten. Former Broadcast Assistant Laura answered some questions when Unofficial Mills first took off…
When you began working as a producer on the Scott Mills Show, did you ever think you’d end up running after people with dog poop in one hand and a megaphone in the other?
Haha! I wish! I’m not the producer — I’m a Broadcast Assistant on the show. The producer is called Emlyn. He’s so talented and attractive. I can but hope…! (He told me to write that.)
Sorry about that! Let’s try the listener questions properly… What’s it like being the only girl in the team? Do you find it a bit boring with all the guys talking about football and women?
No, it’s fine! I like the set-up. I do try to understand the LBW rule in cricket when Chappers tries to explain it, but it makes my brain fizz, so don’t ask me — Scott generally doesn’t get it either, so I’m not alone! The off-air banter is certainly much more than tits and sport, I can assure you!
What’s your favourite kind of music?
I hate answering this question — it’s like someone asking what type of wine I like! Depends what mood I’m in. I like Mylo a lot, and Basement Jaxx a lot, and the songs I’m into on the playlist at the moment are Hard-Fi’s “Living for the Weekend,” Kanye West’s “Gold Digger,” X-Press 2’s “Give It Up,” and Liberty X. Can’t beat a bit of pop!
On the show you’ve done a lot of ‘manly’ things. Did you enjoy dressing up as a bloke and doing blokey things?
Yeah, that was funny. Everybody thought I looked a bit like Badly Drawn Boy… or Jesus, depending on whether the hat was on or not. I quite enjoyed it — got to go into the men’s toilets, but got a bit scared when a man got his todger out in front of me!
What would you do if Chappers was invisible for the day?
I’d be very worried about where he was and what he was up to! ‘Nuff said!
How did you get your job at Radio 1?
I was lucky enough to get one of the BBC Talent production traineeships at Radio 1, alongside Jocelyn off of the Chris Moyles Show. Started working with Scott towards the end of the traineeship, and they haven’t been able to get rid of me since!
What was your first job?
My first job, I got when I was 13 — chambermaiding and waitressing in a hotel.
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
Neil — he was the other Broadcast Assistant on the show — because he’s always on holiday. He’s the Judith Chalmers of Radio 1… but he did work on Christmas Day!
What’s your favourite food and beverage?
I’m a big fan of the old white wine (preferably Pinot Grigio, ya ya ya), and I love meat — any variety, just good old meat!
Have you ever fallen out, or had an argument, with Scott?
Yes, once. It lasted 15 minutes — not very exciting really. We’re lucky, the whole team get on really well.
What’s been your favourite moment working for Scott?
Finding out today that Madonna (Esther, if you’re talking Kabbalah) has bought the building opposite our local to hold her Kabbalah meetings in… hahaha!
Who’s the most impressive celebrity you’ve ever met?
Impressive? Errr… Brucie? Beyoncé? Mariah Carey? Maybe Pat Sharp — he’s a very nice man!
Who’s the nicest celebrity you’ve ever met?
Probably Mark Owen. I think I was a bit scary, as I used to obsess about him in Take That, but he dealt with it really well — I made him give me a hug (cringe!). Orlando Bloom was a sweetheart too.
Who would you most like to meet (who’s still alive)?
I never got to meet Charlotte Church when she was in, and I think she’s great — I’d love to go for a few drinks with her. She’d be hilarious!
Who would be your ideal boyfriend?
I have a penchant for men who are slightly fat and a little past their best… somebody like Matt LeBlanc or Dane Bowers! Hahaha. No, really!
Hear Laura’s Diary in full on the Laura’s Diary pages of Unofficial Mills.