FEATURE:
Broadcast Critical
IN THIS PHOTO: Clara Amfo/PHOTO CREDIT: Justin Sutcliffe
Saluting Awesome Faces Across BBC Radio
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THE BBC…
IN THIS PHOTO: Arielle Free
celebrated its centenary recently, and it provided us a chance to collectively express how valuable the corporation is to us. Whether it is T.V. or radio, the BBC has been a part of our lives and cultural upbringing! BBC radio especially has been so important to me. From new music when I was a child, through to the amazing broadcasters that work across their many stations today, I have a lot to thank them for! I wanted to salute all of BBC radio, but there are a few broadcasters particular I have listened to a lot and wanted to mention individually. I have already done a feature about BBC Radio 6 Music’s Lauren Laverne, as she is someone I respect enormously - and, in addition, her breakfast show weekdays is a bit of a lifeline. I will take the BBC stations from the lowest-numbered to highest. You can check out all the amazing broadcasters across the stations, but I wanted to start with BBC Radio 1. As a thirty-nine-year-old, I always feel I am a little bit too old to tune in! I have got so many great music tips from broadcasters on the station. One of my favourite broadcasters is the amazing Arielle Free. An amazing D.J. and presenter, her Early Breakfast show has been responsible for giving me a boost that early in the morning! She is someone I have a lot of respect for, and I know she will continue to deliver wonderful shows throughout 2023.
IN THIS PHOTO: Sian Eleri
The sensational Clara Amfo delivers her must-hear Future Sounds. A radio icon of the future, she is someone who is going to be a staple of BBC Radio 1 for many years to come. She took over from the great Annie Mac. I would recommend everyone to listen to Amfo, as her show brings the hottest new sounds and artists. I have found some terrific artists thanks to her, and Amfo is such an engaging and amazing broadcaster who has ably and seamlessly stepped into some very big shoes and made the show her own. I listen to BBC Radio 1 at the weekend now and then, and there is a terrific variety of shows to be discovered. I wanted to shout out Charlie Hedges and her Dance Anthems show. A great mix of soul and body-moving jams, I have spotlighted her before. I hope that she continues at BBC Radio 1 and gets more space, as I think she is one of the best voices on the station. Speaking of voices, Sian Eleri and her Chillest Show is a perfect way to spend a Sunday evening! The phenomenal Welsh broadcaster is another future icon. I love her soothing sounds, and her massive talent definitely warrants more airtime! I wonder if Eleri has ever been considered to do a classic chill-out mix or compilation. She gives listeners these blissful sounds, but I feel there is a much busier and larger 2023 ahead!
IN THIS PHOTO: Snoochie Shy
Away from BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6 Music, there are a few of their stations I will briefly dip into. One is BBC Radio 1’s sister station, IXtra. There are some male D.J.s I will mention, but I think the best and most engaging broadcasters are women. That might be a generalisation, but it is my view and preference. Snoochie Shy is on late nights at 1Xtra. She is such a wonderful broadcaster. So much energy and passion, I only recently tuned into her show. I actually listen on BBC Sounds, as it is on a little late for me. Again, this is a great place to get the inside track on new artists that we need to check out! I have mentioned a few of these broadcaster earlier in the year, but I wanted to shout the immense Nadia Jae again! Her breakfast show is brilliant! I switch between her breakfast show and Lauren Laverne’s. Nadia Jae is one of the finest voices on British radio, and her blend of eclectic and amazing music with giggles and guests is intoxicating and addictive. I love her work! Her R&B Chill is also fabulous and right up my street. Before moving on, I wanted to mention Fee Mak. I listen to her on Sunday, but she is someone that I want to highlight to everyone. Another warm and hugely passionate broadcaster, she also has a very bright future. Such an awesome broadcaster, I have spent many great hours in her company!
IN THIS PHOTO: Zoe Ball/PHOTO CREDIT: BBC/Ray Burmiston
There are a few from BBC Radio 2 that I want to highlight. A station I listen to every day, there are some legendary broadcaster in the stable. Zoe Ball’s weekday breakfast show is such a source of fun and comfort. Alongside Lauren Laverne, I tune into Zoe Ball and get that reliable boost and entertainment. She is an iconic broadcaster. Ball leads into the mighty Ken Bruce’s show. With Pop Master and some fabulous music, Bruce has also given me and millions of listeners so much enjoyment and wit. Such a funny and brilliant broadcaster, he is a cornerstone at BBC Radio 2. I don’t want to overlook or miss anyone, but I have to narrow down the focus a bit. Sara Cox is among my favourite broadcaster, because she is so personable and down to earth. I have loved Cox’s shows for years now but, in such a tough year, she has been invaluable. Before moving onto some weekend wonders, another legend is in my thoughts. Trevor Nelson’s Rhythm Nation brings together classic Funk, Soul and R&B. He is a master broadcaster and genius D.J., so we are always in safe hands! I am going to whip through a few names – not to disrespect anyone -, but there is a broad mix of shows on BBC Radio 2 that I really enjoy and tune into regular. Angela Griffin’s Unwinds is another I catch on BBC Sounds, as it is a little late for me. Providing relaxation, companionship, soothing sounds and healing balm, Griffin has this incredible voice that calms you and has so much atmosphere, pull, power and character. An amazing actor, Griffin is a new addition to BBC Radio 2 – and I hope she is there for years to come!
IN THIS PHOTO: Ken Bruce
A different vibe to Angela Griffin’s show, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Kitchen Disco has given me and so many others a lot of lift and joy this year. The amazing artist put out her own kitchen discos through lockdown to entertain people and give them something nice to focus on. It is great it has come to BBC Radio 2. Michelle Visage gives Fridays a boost with her Party mixes and Handbag Hits. A wonderful curator of feelgood sounds, it is a wonderful way to jump into the weekend. Rylan Clark-Neal’s Rylan on Saturday is another terrific show. He is on before the legendary Liza Tarbuck. I listen to a bit of radio on Saturdays, and I always make sure I catch some of Clark Neal’s show, as he is such an excellent broadcaster with unparalleled energy levels! Fearne Cotton’s Sounds of the 90s is something I never miss. Coming to you Saturday evenings, Cotton’s love and knowledge of the 1990s is amazing! She is a broadcaster who has been on the radio for many years, but she seems to have found her paradise and natural home on BBC Radio 2 with her ‘90s show. I really love Claudia Winkleman, because she is a phenomenal presenter and talent. Her Saturday morning show is absolutely wonderful. There is no doubt that she is one of the best broadcaster around. So funny and fun, I do hope that Winkeman stays put for a very long time too - as her stunning shows never fail to deliver something absolutely remarkable and joyous.
IN THIS PHOTO: Claudia Winkleman/PHOTO CREDIT: Matt Monfredi
I will end with a few people from BBC Radio 6 Music. I am a fan of BBC Radio 3, but I need to spend more time with it in 2023. Elizabeth Alker’s Unclassified is about an “exciting new generation of unclassified composers and performers, breaking free of the constraints of practice rooms and concert halls”. Alker is a superb broadcaster, and I remember her from the BBC Radio 6 Music days. Because of her, I have listened to BBC Radio 3 more, and got more into modern Classic music. I tend to stick with the sounds I am used to, so Alker has certainly broken me out of a rigid pattern! On the Asian Network, there are so many amazing personalities and broadcasters. I wanted to shout out Islah and Mehreen Baig and their shows. With great chemistry and connection, I have bonded with an entire network because of them (I am also a fan of the wonderful Nikita Kanda). There are so many great stations across BBC radio, so I will spend a lot more time next year keeping the dial flexible and being a lot more explorative and curious.
IN THIS PHOTO: Islah and Mehreen Baig
I shall wrap things up with BBC Radio 6 Music. A station I listen to more than any other, I would urge anyone to tune into the station regular. I want to give a quick mention to Deb Grant, who has stood in for Chris Hawkins a fair few times this year. She is an incredible broadcaster that one can hear on Jazz FM, and I hope BBC Radio 6 Music make her a permanent fixture very soon – as she is held in high esteem by the listeners. One of the hardest working people in radio, Chris Hawkins’ early morning show is a definite favourite. Hawkins has stood in for Craig Charles during the afternoon this year, and the man never seems to tire! He is one of the station’s finest talents, as he has been with BBC Radio 6 Music since it started life in 2002. A stellar and hugely professional broadcaster, everyone needs to hear Hawkins’ show. Jamz Supernova has been sitting in for Mary Anne Hobbs lately, but both of these broadcasters are jewels in the BBC radio crown. Different in terms of their style, they are equally wonderful and valuable. The man the legend Craig Charles gives us plenty of spirit and brilliance weekday afternoons. With his incredible team, he is someone I have a lot of affection for. Radcliffe and Maconie bring their decades-lasting partnership to weekend breakfast. They have been with BBC Radio 6 Music for years, and we all hope that they are there for a very long time more. With features like The Chain, and Stretch Armsong, they have created this haven and world for us to escape in and discover a lot of brilliant music. I want to finish off the BBC Radio 6 Music section by mentioning Matt Everitt’s The First Time with…, where he speaks with artists about their musical ‘firsts’. A terrific broadcaster, here is someone else who has been at BBC Radio 6 for years – he was formerly on Shaun Keaveny’s afternoon show – and is going to be there for a lot longer.
IN THIS PHOTO: Chris Hawkins
I will wrap up now. I have mentioned the broadcasters and shows I listen to but, to be fair, every name and face across BBC Radio deserves respect and acclaim. That extends to local radio. Such a fountain of diversity and comfort, I have found myself listening to BBC radio more and more the past few years. Against the horrors and uncertainty in the world, the sheer range and mix of shows available across their networks has been so important. I think I speak for so many. From legends of broadcasting to newer names who you know will be making amazing steps for decades, it is exciting to see what next year brings. With so much talent and range from the broadcasters across the BBC, there is something for everyone! Credit to for the amazing producers who help bring shows together. At a challenging time, BBC radio has been such a stable and reliable place we can all good. Whether it is to find community, great new music, documentaries or news, I wanted to highlight just some of those amazing broadcasters that work so tirelessly and passionately. I keep using that word ‘passion’, as that seems to be the most obvious connection here! Broadcasters absolutely dedicated to the station and their listeners. It leaves me to offer a huge thanks to the…
IN THIS PHOTO: Jamz Supernova
BRILLIANT BBC radio.