Nicky gets into the swing for a marathon day after election

When Nicky Campbell takes to the stage of Harrogate Theatre next month, he could be forgiven for looking a little weary.

The previous evening the breakfast show broadcaster will be presenting Radio 5 Live's General Election coverage and, with the result far from a foregone conclusion, it's likely to be a long night.

When the counts have been completed, Campbell will jump on a train to Yorkshire to perform with actor and signer Mark Moraghan in their Moonlight's Back in Style Concert.

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"I doubt I'll get much sleep the night before," he says. "But being involved in the General Election coverage is a privilege, particularly this time when there is so much uncertainty. I think it's only a brave or foolish man who would try to predict what will happen.

"Those kind of events are what you live for as a broadcaster and knowing that a few hours later I'll be up on stage playing with the band is more than enough to keep me going."

When Campbell and Moraghan, best known for his roles in Brookside and Holby City, revealed they were going into the studio to record a swing album, the announcement was met with some puzzlement.

The pair had met on the BBC show Just The Two of Us which saw celebrities duet professional singers and Campbell, who wrote the songs on the album, says their shared passion for the music of the Rat Pack made them instant friends.

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"Music has always been my passion," says Campbell. "When I started out I was a jingle writer and wrote a lot of music for Radio 1. As my career developed and I began taking on presenting roles, other things took over. For me, music has always been there in the background, but there were a lot of people who wondered what on earth Mark and I were doing.

"But it works, we share the same passion for jazz and swing and it's been great to have someone you respect look at the songs you've written and make them better. He is also a fantastic singer and has a real stage presence. When we went into the studio, everything just fell into place, but really you can't beat getting up on stage and playing to an audience.

"Harrogate is going to be particularly special for me. My grandparents lived there and I spent many holidays in Yorkshire, so being able to come back with the band will be a little bit of a homecoming."

Campbell will soon be spending a lot more time in the North. Next year, Radio5 Live will move from London to a new base in Salford. Much has been written about the move and many of the existing presenters have decided to look for work elsewhere, but Campbell was one of the first to announce he would be staying on board.

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"I don't see what the problem is," he says. "When some people talk about Salford, it's as if they are being asked to move to Helmand province. It's crazy.

"Lots of people commute, lots of people work away from home during the week, I really don't think anyone who works at the BBC has any grounds for complaint."

With four young children, Campbell's family will stay in London, but his breakfast show co-host Shelagh Fogarty will be joining him in the new Salford studios. Their on-air partnership began in 2004 and has been one of station's real success stories.

"I don't think there's anyone who makes me laugh as much as Shelagh can," says Campbell. "Going into work every morning is simply a joy. Shelagh is sharp, incisive and very intelligent, but she's also incredibly down to earth and it's that warmth which listeners connect with.

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"We've been working together for six years now and sometimes it feels like it was only yesterday that we broadcast our first breakfast show. They say time flies when you're having fun and I really am having a ball."

n Nicky Campbell and Mark Moraghan's Moonlight's Back in Style comes to Harrogate Theatre on May 7. Pupils from St John Fisher School will be playing on the stage ahead of the concert and those who book tickets in advance will receive a special edition CD while stocks last. 01423 502 116.