James Carpenter on the pitch at Molineux before the Man City game on Wednesday night

Beacon blogger James Carpenter returns after a short break and talks Balls to Cancer, listening figures and how it feels to talk to the crowd from the Molineux pitch:

Back once again with the renegade master after two weeks away – I hope you’re all well?

Firstly, a massive thanks to you for listening to us! We’ve just had our latest listening figures from the body who measures it all (RAJAR) and Beacon has recorded its highest listening figure in four years, with over a quarter of a million of you tuning in each week – so thank you!

I’d also like to wish good luck to Mark Bates and his team who begin the very first year of ‘Balls to Cancer’, raising awareness and money for testicular and other cancer’s affecting men. It’s kind of like a male ‘Race For Life.

It’s taking place this Sunday at Aldersley Leisure Village so please go along! Gordon Ramsey has backed the cause and Wolves player Jody Craddock will also be taking part.

I wish I could go as Mark has worked tirelessly on it, but I’m meeting some TV producers who are looking at featuring my brother in a programme on Tourettes, which he has (never like to say suffers because he copes brilliantly with it).

It was also nice to be asked to on pitch announce at Molineux on Wednesday night as Wolves hosted Man City in the Carling Cup.

It’s a really interesting operation to see behind the scenes – Jason and his crew get the team sheets and go through it to check they can pronounce the names correctly, you’ve got Sky Sports on one screen, whilst they listen to the Goalzone commentary and watch the game live so as to not miss who scored, how many minutes until half-time and who’s being subbed – all information they need instantly.

I’m going through the script with the man who chaperones me around the pitch, Dave, and then 25 minutes before kick off we take to the pitch. When the players are lined up, Dave goes near the tunnel whilst I stand near the centre circle.

As soon as the players begin to move, “go-go-go” is shouted in my ear and that is when you hear the HUGE announcement of the teams coming on.

Despite the score on Wednesday, I thought Wolves had an encouraging performance. Of course they play Man City again this weekend, while the Baggies take on Liverpool – both tough games and live on Beacon.

This Saturday morning, I will be joined by Steve-O from Jackass, but why’s he coming to the Midlands? Find out tomorrow between 7-11am on Beacon.

Have a great weekend,

James x