Behind The Mic; Midlands radio stars DAZ HALE.

Byline: GRAHAM YOUNG

BBC WM's breakfast show listeners will have an unmistakable new voice for three months from Monday.

Sports presenter Daz Hale will form a Radio Five Live-style partnership with Jo Tidman, while former WM star Malcolm Boyden returns temporarily to fill his evening slot.

The move follows Adrian Goldberg's surprise departure today to launch a freelance career, but the early starts won't bother 38-year-old Daz.

Having spent 12 years getting up at 3.30am to work as a postman, he'll still be enjoying a lie-in!

Born Darren Hale in Norton Caines but now living in Burntwood with his partner and seven-month-old daughter Gracie, Wolves-fan Daz was an unusual postie... with a taste for burning midnight oil.

"I was the vocalist with local four-piece indie band The Moneygods, so I used sleep in the afternoons and then for three hours after gigs.

"We supported Radiohead at the Lichfield Arts Centre and Kidderminster Market Tavern, but weren't good enough to get on to Top of the Pops or good looking enough to be on bedroom walls!"

Daz left Chasetown High School with five 'O' Levels.

"My parents, Pauline and Phil are retired now but were always very supportive even when I was on the dole for six months because I refused to do a pounds 25-a-week YTS job. I ended up selling chickens door to door before joining the Royal Mail for what I thought would be a temporary job."

Being interviewed by WM led to Daz being offered the chance to do gig and then film reviews, later contributing to Five Live's The Way Out show. When presenter Samantha Meah went on holiday he was asked to stand in.

WM boss Keith Beech then put him on to sport and, after giving up his 'Royal Mail job for life' in favour of a six-month contract, Daz signed staff terms two years ago.

BRMB's Phil Upton will take over the breakfast show in October.