When Cork’s 96FM invited Roger Bisby onto The Opinion Line with PJ Coogan, the conversation wandered from plumbing and broadcasting to history, architecture, and why YouTube has changed everything about learning practical skills.
Roger, a builder and plumber by trade, spent 15 years hosting a Saturday morning “fix-it” show on London’s LBC radio before taking his know-how online. “Nothing’s planned in life,” he told PJ. “You just drift from one thing into another, and before you know it, you’re doing television, radio, YouTube… it all sort of happens.”
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The YouTube revolution
When PJ confessed to saving himself a call-out fee thanks to a DIY video, Roger laughed. “I get tradesmen saying, ‘You’re putting us out of work,’” he said. “But really, it’s about connection. Once people trust you, they call you for bigger jobs. If your business relies on secrecy, the game’s over. Everything’s online now – even open-heart surgery! Though obviously I don’t recommend trying that at home.”
He believes YouTube empowers homeowners to make informed decisions, even if they never pick up a tool. “When someone understands what’s involved, they’re harder to rip off. They can use the language, ask the right questions – that’s good for everyone.”
Discovering Cork
Roger’s recent visit to Cork came while filming at Pipelife’s new manufacturing facility on Little Island. After wrapping up early, he wandered the city with a camera, capturing its mix of old and new. “I knew nothing about it,” he said. “So I just did a whistle-stop tour and asked people to tell me everything I got wrong!”
He chuckled about his geographical faux pas – sending the River Lee into the Irish Sea instead of the Celtic Sea – and the unexpected drama of filming a Garda arrest outside Nando’s. “You never seem to get away with a day’s filming without someone objecting,” he said. “Everyone’s got a phone camera, but if yours looks even slightly professional, people suddenly think you need a permit.”
A builder’s eye for the city
Despite the limited time, Cork made a strong impression. “I love cities built on marginal land,” Roger said. “Venice, Amsterdam, Cork – all built on marshes, and yet they’ve stood for centuries. The ambition of people amazes me.”
He was struck by the English Market, praising its beauty while noting with a builder’s eye that “the roof’s on its last legs and one day they’ll have to close the whole place to fix it.” He also admired the Firkin Crane, the Butter Market, and Cork’s colourful narrow streets.
“I’d love to come back with a local guide – not an official tour, just someone who knows the place,” he told PJ. The invitation was quickly accepted, with PJ promising to show Roger “what Cork people love about their own city.”
City Walks and Skill Builder
Roger’s Cork footage appears on his new YouTube channel Roger Bisby City Walks, a quieter offshoot of Skill Builder, which focuses on practical trade skills and building know-how. “City Walks didn’t sit well on Skill Builder,” he explained. “That’s for DIY and trade advice. This is just me drifting around looking at buildings.”
The Cork video has already drawn thousands of views from Ireland, and Roger says he’ll be back – ideally with sunshine next time. “When it rains too much, there’s always a pub,” he laughed. “But yes, drink responsibly.”
See more Roaming Roger on Skill Builder
