1. When did you think about a career in music and what were your first steps into it?
I’ve always loved music. From my earliest days most of my money went on buying albums. I never thought I’d be lucky enough to work in a job that allows me to indulge my passion – and I’m loving it.
2. Best gig(s) you’ve been to? Bruce Springsteen in Kilkenny, 2013: I’m a huge fan and that night is burned in my memory as one of the best nights of my life. He was amazing and the entire audience was going mad, dancing and screaming along to the songs at the top of our voices as the sun went down.
3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band? Well, Bruce would have to be front and centre but I’d love to see Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and Elvis perform.
4. The record you’d take to a desert island? Kate Bush’s The Kick Inside – and, if I could only have one song, it would be Wuthering Heights. As an impoverished cub reporter in Scotland I found this album in a charity shop and I played it endlessly.
5. And the book? A collection of PG Wodehouse stories. The funniest writer of all time: if I’m feeling down, a quick escape into a word populated by people with names like Tuppy Glossop and Gussy Fink Nottle always puts the smile back on my face.
6. Top three films? Dirty Dancing, Say Anything and The Breakfast Club. All movies that still bring me back to my teenage self.
7. Worst film you’ve seen? Marmaduke, back when my eldest two were tiny. Simply the worst, most boring movie ever made.
8. Favourite authors? PG Wodehouse, Kim Newman and David Sedaris.
9. Sport you most enjoy and top team? I love watching darts on the telly with the kids. Does that count?
10. Ideal holiday destination? Anywhere with lots to see and do. I’m so pale I’m practically blue, so a beach holiday has never appealed.
11. Pet hate? Bad time-keeping. Working in radio makes you aware of every second and I can’t bear being late for anything. Having three young children means that I don’t always live up to my own time-keeping ideals.
12. What’s your favourite:
Dinner? A really hot chicken jalfrezi.
Dessert? Chocolate profiteroles.
Drink? Fizzy water.
13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other? My big sister, Seanagh. We fought like cat and dog when we were kids but there’s no-one closer to me now.
14. Is there a God? I believe so. I look at my three wonderful babies and I think, "yep, there has to be a big man upstairs".
:: The Kerry McLean Show is on BBC Radio Ulster, Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 5pm.
