Alan, who was born in New South Wales, Australia, began his broadcasting career in 1952 in Tasmania. His British career started with Radio Luxembourg, as a summer relief disc jockey where he gained his nickname ‘Fluff’ as a result of a fluffy jumper he often wore. In 1960 Alan joined BBC Radio where he introduced Pick of the Pops for ten years, and at the same time, became one of the original presenters of BBC TV’s Top of the Pops. He left the BBC for Capital Radio in 1979 and revived Pick of the Pops, a show he become synonymous with, along with his catchphrases, ‘Greetings, pop pickers’ ‘Alright? Stay bright!’ and ‘Not arf!’