S2, Ep5 – In conversation with Daniel Norcross
21 October 2022
Famously described as “the most interesting commentator of the new generation” and renowned for often placing an unusual perspective into the commentary box, in this episode of Life & Smile we welcome to 75 Harley Street a household name in broadcasting.
You will recognise his voice immediately from his role commentating on cricket for the BBC as part of the Test Match Special team and regular updates on 5Live and that’s just the start. Join Dr Reena in conversation with of course Daniel Norcross.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Bringing to Harley Street one of the most recognised voices in broadcasting, Dr Reena took the conversation back to the beginning and asked how it all started. Daniel confirmed he had completed “broadly speaking, a useless degree in Latin and Greek,” which didn’t have many practical applications, apart from actually teaching these subjects. However, teaching was not a realistic option for him at the time. He spent a year deciding what to do next and eventually started working with the internet—this was in 1994, just as the internet was beginning to emerge.
Daniel went on to become involved in multiple projects, often as a project manager. This role, however, was precarious, particularly during the financial crash, and he found himself made redundant up to three times. It wasn’t until he turned forty that he realised he hadn’t actually achieved anything he had set out to do in the sixteen/seventeen years since leaving university.
The one thing he had always adored from the age of seven was cricket—he had grown up surrounded by its noise and commentary. When the Ashes cricket was about to commence in 2009, Daniel was focused on creating a new business idea: an alternative online cricket commentary service. This would allow people worldwide to hear commentary using the internet. Of course, the real focus was to make money, but Daniel was also using his redundancy money from 2008 to indulge in watching the Ashes.
What started as a small venture ballooned into something far beyond his expectations. They attracted high-profile names from comedy circles to join in. The success, however, began to upset the BBC, as the growing attention was hard to ignore. Yet, as Daniel put it, “what always happens in these situations, especially in Britain, is that once the establishment realises it can’t stop you, they ask you to join them instead.”
Realising he’d rather have his travel expenses paid and be heard by millions, rather than the hundreds of thousands he’d initially reached, Daniel’s journey into the world of cricket and broadcasting was born. What a journey it had been!
Dr Reena noted that Daniel’s voice is often known for providing quite unconventional commentary in the commentary box. Daniel confirmed that what he personally finds so intoxicating about the game is that cricket is a game that stops and starts, allowing for moments of reflection and spontaneity.
Daniel also revealed the famous names and faces he meets on a regular basis. Cricket, particularly, tends to attract a vast variety of talent, and the travelling that comes with the sport is constant. Daniel jokes about how being away for many weeks at a time can cause you to become so settled in one place that it’s difficult to return home!
Live sport requires preparation for every scenario, especially the unexpected. Things can go wrong live on air, and the media landscape is just as unpredictable. Daniel stressed how, in a way, you’re “always prepared for it”—and at the time of this podcast recording, the world was still reeling from the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
Dr Reena also turned the conversation to how Daniel handles nerves before broadcasting. Daniel acknowledged that nerves could play a role, but he found that “as soon as you start speaking, it’s easy and the nerves just go away.” This, no doubt, further confirms how perfectly suited he is for his profession.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Cricket attracts a broad variety of people, and you never know who you’re going to meet next – from comedians to politicians, writers, and everyone in between, including Mick Jagger to Stephen Fry.
In sport, you need to be prepared for anything. Anything can happen, and it often does.
When it comes to live broadcasting, no matter your personal feelings, you have to stay sensitive to your audience – you can’t afford to upset them.
On public speaking, often, as soon as you start talking, your nerves can fade away.
So much of live broadcasting is about not overthinking the words you’re using; the best conversations happen organically.
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