Jonathan's head for heights

By Tim Dale BBC York & North Yorkshire

A different person takes their place on the fourth plinth every hour for 100 days

BBC Radio York's Jonathan Cowap is one of the people who've managed to get a place in sculptor Antony Gormley's new exhibition.

For 100 days 24 hours a day a different person is standing on the plinth for an hour as part of a living exhibition.

Jonathan was on the empty fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square on Tuesday 14 July between 6 and 7 in the morning.

Whilst on the plinth Jonathan broadcast live to North Yorkshire.

See pictures of Jonathan Cowap on the fourth plinth.

What prompted you to get involved?

Jonathan is hoping he'll be able to overcome his fear of heights

"I'd spoken to Antony Gormley on the Lunchtime Show on BBC Radio York, which I present, I suppose it seemed like a good idea at the time."

But you freely say you're terrified of heights?

"Well as someone who never wins the lottery or even a raffle, I suppose I never expected that my name would come out of the hat.

"People do keep asking me, because we're broadcasting from the plinth, whether there's been some kind of deal between us and the organisers. I assure you that's not the case.

"Even Antony Gormley, under the rules, has had to put his name in to participate in his own exhibition. So far his name hasn't come out."

A great opportunity but a frightening one?

"It could be the end of my life! I am extremely apprehensive about it which is why I am having a session with a therapist in York.

"She says that in 15 minutes she may be able to cure my fear of heights or at least make it a bit easier for me.

"Everyone says 'Don't worry with the radio programme to do and with all the technical things to think about you won't have time to be scared' but we'll have to see."

Have you always been scared of heights?

"No it never used to bother me, but it seems as I've got older I've got more and more scared.

"I also think that it's the dimensions of the plinth that are so frightening. It's 22 feet high but only 4'11 wide, that is narrower than a double bed."

But there is a safety net?

"But if you fall and hit the net it will bounce you into the side of the plinth and I really don't want to be the first person to fall off it."

A poem has been written by the Yorkshire poet Ian McMillan about your appearance on the plinth?

"I'd contacted Ian and asked him to write an Ode to the Plinth for us. To my surprise he's put me in the piece which came as a bit of a shock and has been rather humbling for me. When he first read it out to me I was speechless."

You're broadcasting live to North Yorkshire whilst on the plinth?

"Yes, hopefully there won't be too many people around between 6 and 7 in the morning to heckle me. Once I come down from the plinth it is straight to the station and back to York, hopefully in time to present my usual programme.

Jonathan takes to the plinth

See pictures of Jonathan Cowap on the fourth plinth.

If you missed the programme you can catch it on the BBC iPlayer where it will be available for seven days.The programme will also be replayed at 2 pm, on Tuesday July 14.