Peter Donaldson is an English radio presenter who worked for Absolute Radio from 2011 to 2019. He featured on the Danny Wallace Saturday show on Xfm and is currently one of the presenters on The Football Ramble, Wrestle Me and The Luke and Pete Show podcasts. Donaldson cohosts the Abroad in Japan Podcast with Chris Broad, featured as a "certified Japanophile". Pete is currently banned from St James' Park, for running on the pitch during their 2–2 draw with QPR on 1 February 2017.
Career
Pete's start in the media was as an extra on an episode of Coronation Street, screened in the UK on the 1st January 1999 as a guest at Nick Tilsley's 18th birthday party. Donaldson moved to London in 2003 after 'studying' Multimedia Media Design at University. After working as a graphic designer for three years, he gained work experience, and in turn full employment, on The Lauren Laverne Breakfast Show in 2006. He later worked as co-presenter of the Alex Zane Breakfast Show - also on Xfm. As a radio producer, Donaldson produced shows for the likes of Carlton Palmer, Christian Karembeu, John Salako and Shola Ameobi. In 2009 Donaldson could be found presenting solo on Early Breakfast on Xfm from 1am-11pm Monday–Sunday. He also moved from being a producer on the Football Ramble podcast to a full-time host, something he continues today. Donaldson later hosted the evening show of Absolute Radio, the Rock and Roll Football Matchday Warmup, as well as covering red carpet events and interviewing bands at sessions and festivals for the station. In March 2018, it was revealed that Donaldson would replace Dave Berry as the presenter of Absolute Radio's Hometime Show and present the show for the summer. Donaldson began hosting the Hometime Show on 21 May 2018 before Andy Bush and Richie Firth took over in September 2018. On 12 December 2019, Donaldson announced he would be leaving Absolute Radio after 9-years, with his last live show being on the 22nd of December 2019. During his final live show he called for Brexit to get done and hoped that he wouldn’t be forced to watch Only Fools and Horses in his retirement. He also voiced the character Jerry Brockhaus in the 2008 video game and characters in The Journey Down Part 2.
Podcasts
In August 2014, Donaldson founded podcast production company Stakhanov Industries alongside fellow Rambler Luke Moore, and Jonathan 'Lord Ramble' Teague. In 2018 Donaldson began co-hosting the podcast Abroad in Japan, with Chris Broad. Donaldson also co-hosts popular podcast 'WrestleMe' with Marc Haynes. The pair discuss every Wrestlemania event in chronological order, as well as occasional diversions into notable moments from the wider history of professional wrestling. The show's basic conceit contrasts Haynes' lifelong enthusiasm for wrestling against Donaldson's initial lack of knowledge on the sport. GQ magazine described the podcast as ‘Enrapturing…part-wrestling podcast, part-breakdown of the sheer ridiculousness of pro wrestling, and part-examination of the human condition’. A live version of the podcast first was hosted by Haynes and Donaldson in September 2018. On an episode of The Luke and Pete Show dated 05 May 2020, Pete announced that he will be spending 2021 in Kuwait as part of the punditry team for KTV Sport, although he admitted that "Covid-19 might stall this decision".
