Radio News

Steve Harris has Twitter success with Russell Crowe

BBC Radio Solent’s Breakfast in Dorset presenter Steve Harris has been making headlines after a simple request on Twitter. He sent a message on Tuesday morning asking if anyone knows how he can get a reply from Russell Crowe. Steve wanted him to ask him if he’d record a birthday message for one of his listeners, who is currently sailing around the world in the Vendee Globe race, and happens to be a big fan of the actor...

Event to celebrate 40 years of Moray Firth Radio

The Radio Academy’s Scotland Branch is holding a virtual evening event to celebrate 40 years of MFR. Broadcaster Garry Spence will be joined by Susie Rose who recently released a book about the station called ‘Making Waves’, along with launch MD Thomas Prag, former Head of Radio for BBC Scotland Jeff Zycinski, and Grace Nicoll who presents the MFR Breakfast Show with Dan Gilchrist. Join them on their Facebook page on Tuesday 9th February at 7pm to hear stories from MFR’s past right through to the present day and discover just what it means to broadcast to such a unique part of the country...

BBC Radio 1’s Clara Amfo made ambassador at Dulux

Clara Amfo has been unveiled as the ambassador for the Dulux Colour of the Year 2021, Brave Ground. She says: ““I love the colour of Brave Ground and what it symbolises. It’s Mother Earth, our roots. It’s perfect for this year as it makes us feel more connected to where we live.” Clara has been doing up her home recently by adding a bit of Brave Ground paint, which Dulux interestingly told us about in a press release today. “In my daily life I’m surrounded by noise, by music, so I love those moments of peace, of being able to chill out. And Brave Ground definitely helps me to do that.” ...

Simon Mayo to host Drive on Greatest Hits Radio

Greatest Hits Radio Drivetime is going networked with Scala Radio presenter Simon Mayo joining the schedule full time from March 15th. He’ll leave his daily programme at Scala but stay for a weekend show, after two years in the mid-morning slot. Current regional Drivetime presenters on Greatest Hits Radio will move to the afternoon 1-4pm show, keeping its Ofcom obligation to provide at least three hours of regional programmes each weekday. The exception being Greatest Hits Radio NW Drivetime presenter Darren Proctor who moves to 7-10pm on the network, replacing Rick Houghton who is leaving Bauer...

BBC local radio listeners donate 17,500 devices

The BBC’s Make A Difference: Give A Laptop campaign has seen 17,645 devices donated since its launch on January 7, with a further 30,000 devices pledged by businesses across England. Radio stations have been directing listeners to the local charities collecting devices in their area via the Make a Difference website for individual donations. Meanwhile, businesses, trusts and foundations from all over England have also been getting in touch to pledge devices, money and even data to those who need it most...

BBC Radio 2 presenters get in the musicals mood

Presenters from BBC Radio 2 have been dressing up ahead of the station celebrating musicals this weekend. Zoe Ball, Sara Cox and Ken Bruce all dressed up as characters to mark a weekend of only songs from musical theatre, stage and screen all day from 5am-7pm. In the Breakfast Show on Friday, Zoe will be leading a sing-a-long of three songs from musicals and is encouraging listeners to get dressed up as their favourite musicals character for it. There will be musicals themes and guests across all the Radio 2 shows on Saturday and Sunday, culminating in Musicals: The Greatest Show on Sunday night hosted by Sheridan Smith...

BBC Radio Lancashire celebrates 50 years on-air

Lancashire’s local BBC station is celebrating 50 years on-air today and the launch of its Make a Difference Awards. BBC Radio Blackburn, as it was originally know, started officially on January 26th 1971 and expanded to cover the whole county ten years later. And today, key workers from around the area, from doctors and nurses to teachers and bin crews, have come together to form the Lancashire Heroes Choir. More than 50 key workers recorded themselves singing to the Cannon and Ball classic Together We’ll Be OK...

New weekend schedule at Cool FM as Andy Baird leaves

In his place, a range of new presenters and programmes as the Bauer service introduces a new ‘Spring schedule’. There are new slots for Melissa Riddell, Katharine Walker, DJ Hix, and Owen Beers. Fashion blogger Melissa Riddell will take over the weekend breakfast slot (6-10am). Melissa started her time at Cool FM in 2017 through the ‘Cool Choices’ programme – a scheme designed to offer work experience in the media industry to young people aged 16 to 24.

talkSPORT team announced for cricket coverage

talkSPORT is covering England’s tour of India, starting next month, with every ball of every game live on talkSPORT 2. Ashes winner Kevin Pietersen will join the team for its free-to-air coverage of the four Tests, five T20s and three ODIs, which start on February 5th and conclude on March 28th. The broadcast team includes talkSPORT cricket regulars, Darren Gough, Mark Nicholas, Mark Butcher, Matt Prior, Steve Harmison, Gareth Batty, Alex Tudor, Neil Manthorp, Jarrod Kimber, Jon Norman, Guy Swindells and Andrew McKenna. Kate Cross also joins the team when she returns from representing England in New Zealand alongside former India batsman and commentator Aakash Chopra...

History of the human body explored by BBC Radio 4

Independent radio production company Made in Manchester has made a ten part series for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds about the history of the human body. Written and presented by anatomist, anthropologist and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts, Bodies also includes drama from voice actor Jonathan Kydd. Alice’s time travelling tour of anatomical knowledge traces the history from cave men to DNA. Executive producer and MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne says: “This is a brilliant and most enlightening series authored expertly by Alice and peppered with great drama from Jonathan. The shows are equally informative and entertaining.” ...