Peter is one of the original founders of the Headline Challenge ©

One of the longest serving editors in the regional press, now running his own media company, specialising in writing, PR, presenting, broadcasting, after-dinner speaking. Also a children’s author. Awarded the MBE “for services to journalism and North-East life” 2013.

See www.peterbarronmedia.com

The Headline Challenge has been a big part of my life, having been a feature on the BBC Tees breakfast show for 15 years, and three years on TFM before that.

But, I’m sad to say, it’s come to an end.
Nothing lasts forever and, after such a long run, the BBC understandably wants to try some new features.

It all goes back to 2006 when I started a daily on-air joust with Graham Mack on TFM. The idea was that I’d choose a funny story from around the world, come up with a headline, and challenge the listeners to suggest a better one. Points were allocated by an “independent adjudicator” with double points for song titles, films, books or theatre shows.

It was just a daft bit of fun that I never dreamed would last 18 years. In fact, when I was first asked to do it, seven years into my stint as editor of The Northern Echo, I said ‘no’ because it sounded like too much of a hassle every weekday morning. However, my arm was twisted and, before I knew it, it was part of my daily routine.

When Graham Mack moved on from TFM, the feature paused for a few months before I got a call from BBC Tees editor Matthew Barraclough, suggesting we resurrect it.

Initially, it was me versus John Foster, followed by the much-missed Ali Brownlee. When Ali died in 2016, the breakfast show moved on to a double-act with Amy Oakden and Neil Green, until Neil decided to step down in May this year.

I can honestly say I’ve loved my time with all my radio friends – lovely people, wonderful broadcasters – and we’ve had a lot of laughs.

Special mention has to go to Sarah Robinson, who’s gone into battle on behalf of the BBC Tees listeners through all the changes of presenters, and been the best of sports.

Thanks also to Chris Lloyd, from The Northern Echo, who’s always gallantly stepped in from time to time whenever I’ve needed a super sub.

Over the years, I’ve been everyone from Frank Sinatra, Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Michael Buble, and Kylie in search of double points, though the low point was undoubtedly Minnie Ripperton.

I’ve had so many people come up to me over the years to chat about the Headline Challenge, including one fella who tapped me on the shoulder in the gym, and said: “Listen son, you do know you can’t sing, don’t you?”

I have to admit it will be strange not starting the day with two live calls on the radio, first to issue the challenge, and then to return an hour later for the results, but all good things have to come to an end, and I fully understand that life moves on.

There are only so many terrible puns I can inflict on the listeners, and they definitely deserve a break from my quite dreadful singing.

I’ll always be a friend of BBC Tees, and the Headline Challenge will continue to be played out for fun on my social media channels, although I won’t feel the need to go searching for a story every single day. It’ll be just whenever I see a story that’s crying out for a funny headline.

In the meantime, thank you to everyone who’s ever played along. It’s been puntastic…