BBC Radio 3's Elizabeth Alker addresses Rochdale accent distracting listeners
BBC’s Elizabeth Alker has been on the airwaves since 2005, interviewing the likes of Paul McCartney to Steve Reich, and by now she’d think listeners would have become used to her northern accent. But she admits her Rochdale roots still receive a sense of surprise from her audience.
The radio DJ joined the BBC as a researcher but soon became a reporter and presenter for Radio 6 Music, something she is extremely passionate about.
Her parents were both pianists and Elizabeth grew up learning the clarinet, recorder and piano, so her musical talents tied in with her English degree paved the way for her calling to music journalism.
But after graduating in 2003 and the job hunt began, she admitted there was a fear of being judged on her Rochdale accent by potential employers.
Gushing over the benefits of being able to use email instead of face to face meetings straight away, she said in a new interview: “It was so liberating, in some ways, not to be judged on my Rochdale accent (amazingly, even stronger back then), or my general lack of self-belief, experience and connections.”
READ MORE: Kirstie Allsopp worries what message football crowds are sending
