Radio News

Union JACK radio and NextUp Comedy come together

A partnership between Union JACK and NextUp Comedy is delivering a daily dose of comedy to listeners each weekday afternoon. NextUp Comedy, widely billed as the Netflix of UK stand-up comedy, will provide the station with vintage and contemporary stand-up comedy from some of the country’s most acclaimed comedians. On Driving Comedy, listeners can expect to hear original stand-up content recorded at Jongleurs by comedians including Andy Parsons, Rhona Cameron, Omid Djalili, Marcus Brigstocke and Ed Byrne; alongside contemporary content created by NextUp Comedy and featuring new talent such as...

Musician Gary Powell to host Radio X series

Radio X is launching a brand-new four-part Sunday night series hosted by The Libertines’ drummer Gary Powell. Gary is best known as a member of The Libertines and Dirty Pretty Things. He’s also the former drummer for Eddy Grant and was a touring drummer for ska legends The Specials. Starting this Sunday 4th October at 10pm, he’ll present a four-part series on Radio X, with a playlist of songs and stories that explore the influence of pioneering Black musicians on indie rock and alternative music through the generations. Matt Deverson, Managing Editor of Radio X, told RadioToday: “Gary Powell is a major part of one of the most iconic bands of the last 20 years,"...

Jammy move as Global poach MistaJam for Capital Dance

Capital is launching Capital Dance on DAB across the UK and has poached MistaJam from BBC Radio 1 to launch it – today – RadioToday can reveal. MistaJam, who resigned suddenly from the BBC last week, will host Tuesday to Saturday Drive on Capital Dance and the Capital Weekender, Friday and Saturday from 7pm on both Capital and Capital Dance. The new station launches today at 4pm on the Digital One multiplex. Capital’s Coco Cole joins Capital Dance as the host of evenings, Monday – Thursday from 7pm. Coco will also host Friday & Saturday nights on the all-new Capital Weekender show with Ministry of Sound from 10pm...

Skunk Anansie lead singer Skin joins Absolute Radio

Absolute Radio has hired Skunk Anansie lead singer and songwriter Skin to host a new 10-part series. During the programmes, which start in October, Skin will play the songs which have sound-tracked her life as well as the new music she’s listening to. Speaking about joining Absolute Radio and her new show, Skin said “I’m really excited to be part of the team. It’s been a long-term dream of mine to have my own radio show, and this format is exactly the sort of thing I’ve always wanted to do. “I have a lot of personal attachments to various songs. There’s a social and spiritual part of music that people don’t really talk about that much and in this series, I’ll be sharing what certain songs mean to me"...

It’s not working out: Jamie East exits talkRADIO

Broadcaster Jamie East is leaving News after four years on-air at talkRADIO and Virgin Radio. Jamie tweeted yesterday saying he’s hosted his final show at talkRADIO, and he’s sorry it didn’t work out. He thanked bosses Scott, Liam and others, adding that it was (mostly) a laugh. In a separate message, he responded to a clip of Mark Dolan cutting up his face mask live on air, saying “It’s clear that TalkRADIO has a clearly defined idea of where it’s heading, sadly not many of those ideals were a great fit. So, off the back of the recent @thesmart7pod’s success I’m able to wish them all the best for the future. Wear a mask, save lives.” ...

BBC Radio 1 hires singer songwriter YUNGBLUD

BBC Radio 1 has partnered with YUNGBLUD for a brand new weekly podcast launching on BBC Sounds in October. Announced during his appearance on Clara Amfo’s show today for Radio 1’s Live Lounge Month 2020, The YUNGBLUD Podcast will interview young music fans who are approaching turning points in their lives. Each week, he’ll chat to one fan to discuss topics and issues affecting young people today, whether it be gender, sexuality, identity, money worries, friendships, style or mental health. YUNGBLUD says: “I am so excited to be able to have one-on-one conversations with young people about what is going on in the world right now" ...

Classic FM signs up Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE

Classic FM is launching a new Sunday night series with Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, the double-bass player and founder of the Chineke! Foundation. Starting on Sunday 4th October at 9pm, Chi-chi’s Classical Champions will shine the spotlight on Black, Asian & ethnically diverse composers and performers who have enjoyed success, as well as those yet to receive recognition. Across six weeks, Chi-chi will champion brilliant music; tell the stories behind the works and performances, and play a varied range of recordings – all personally chosen by her – by artists from diverse backgrounds from the 16th century up to the present day...

BBC Radio 2 to celebrate John Lennon At 80

BBC Radio 2 has secured an exclusive interview with Julian Lennon, Paul McCartney and Elton John chatting to Sean Ono Lennon. John Lennon would have turned 80 years old on Friday 9 October and in these special shows, John Lennon At 80, his youngest son Sean will present a celebratory, musical, family portrait of the legendary musician. Sean and Julian talk personally about their father and how he taught them about music. Julian recalls his dad buying him a guitar when he was around 11 years old and how it helped him get into music. Paul McCartney shares his memories of meeting John, talking about the combination of him and John, saying:...

Woman’s Hour launches its 2020 Power List: Our Planet

Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour has launched the search for its 2020 Power List: Our Planet, looking for 30 women who are making a significant positive contribution to the environment or the sustainability of our planet. The List will be announced in a live programme on Monday 16 November, presented by Jane Garvey. The Power List: Our Planet will showcase inspirational initiatives and stories that are bringing about real change at all levels of society - from influencing global policy and changing human behaviour, to inventing eco-friendly products, spearheading scientific research, volunteering in community gardens, and inspiring a deep love of the natural world...

Martin and Su Celebrate 20th radio anniversary

Essex radio duo Martin Day and Su Harrison have celebrated 20 years since going on-air together in the county. They were first drafted together on Essex FM on September 11th 2000, before the station was rebranded to Heart in 2009. Due to networking at local radio stations and cuts, Martin and Su were then left without a home in May 2019 before Radio Essex signed them up. Speaking about their time on-air together, Su observed: “I can’t believe I’ve managed to put up with him for this long. Other than holidays, the birth of my daughter, and the break we had last year we’ve probably spent more time together than most couples...