Revealed: How BBQ Bob got his nickname

One of radio’s great mysteries has been solved.

As he wrapped up his first week on air as host of Classic Hits 4BH Breakfast in Brisbane this morning, BBQ Bob revealed how he got his nickname.

“People ask me about it all the time. It actually happened back in the eighties. I was working for a Sydney radio station. A colleague was doing an Australian music show and the special guest was Greedy Smith from Mental As Anything.”

“It’s interesting that none of the members of the band go by their own names. They all have nicknames. Martin Plaza, Reg Mombassa and Greedy Smith, the most well known.”

“Well, at the end of the Aussie music show, my colleague said ‘Bob Gallagher’s up next’ and Greedy says ‘Ah, BBQ Bob, the troublemaker!’”

“It just came off the top of his head. We laughed. A few colleagues heard it, and the next day people started calling me BBQ Bob.”

“And that has followed me through my career for the last thirty years.”