UK

The Thousand Mile Challenge will see BBC radio presenters from across the UK swimming in aid of BBC Children in Need.

BBC Local Radio stations in England will team up with colleagues from BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru 2, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC Radio Shetland BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle to form special swim teams. Each station will complete twenty-four miles.
Former Team GB swimmers and Olympians, Rebecca Adlington and Mark Foster are supporting the presenters by sharing their experience, training tips and giving words of encouragement.
Taking place between Monday 4th November and Friday 8th November, the swimmers will be taking part indoors and out, in pools, rivers and lakes at various locations across the UK. There will be updates on BBC local stations and social media.
The BBC’s Director of Nations, Rhodri Talfan Davies says: “A thousand miles is some swim! What a way for our radio presenters from across BBC Local and all four nations to come together and raise money for Children in Need.
“It’s going to be tough, for sure, but with the support of millions of listeners, our aim is to help support vital charity projects in communities right across the UK.”
Simon Antrobus, BBC Children in Need’s Chief Executive says: “We’re thrilled to see the BBC Nations and Regions get behind BBC Children in Need’s 2024 Appeal with such an epic challenge.
“Right now, we are only able to fund 1 in 8 organisations who ask us for support. Only with the generosity of the public can we continue help to lighten the load for hundreds of thousands of children, and young people across the UK and help change their lives.”
Find out more on the BBC Children in Need website.

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talkSPORT 2 has created a new deal with New Zealand sports radio station Sports Entertainment New Zealand (SENZ).

The move means the station will bring listeners live, exclusive coverage of India’s Test series with New Zealand.
Coverage will be fronted by former New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney, IPL star Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, former England fast bowler Steve Harmison as well as former England spinner and current Surrey Head Coach Gareth Batty, and former England spinner Monty Panesar.
Daniel McHardy, Jon Norman and Jarrod Kimber make up the rest of the team which will be supported by scorer Garry Morgan.
The Test series will be broadcast on talkSPORT 2, talkSPORT’s Cricket YouTube Channel, SENZ in New Zealand and SEN in Australia with additional content posted after play via talkSPORT’s ever-popular Following On Podcast.
talkSPORT Cricket Editor, Jon Norman, said: “Ahead of England’s Test tour of New Zealand, which will also be live on talkSPORT, I’m delighted to team up with SENZ to bring cricket fans coverage of another iconic three Test series featuring two teams that have also competed in the World Test Championship Final.”
Christopher Haigh, Chief Media Officer for Entain Australia & New Zealand, the operators of SENZ, said: “This is a world-class team that’s been compiled to bring the action to cricket lovers in both hemispheres. Live cricket coverage is hugely valued by Kiwi sports fans, and we’re very pleased to partner with talkSPORT 2 to deliver this for a keenly awaited tour.”
In New Zealand, coverage can be heard via SENZ Radio on 28 frequencies nationwide as well as via the SENZ app.

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The UK Community Radio Network is set to host its annual National Community Radio Conference in Cardiff on 16th November, alongside the Community Radio Awards.
The conference, which takes place at Cardiff City Stadium, will be an open platform for discussion, collaboration, and communication between stations from across the United Kingdom.
While the UKCRN represents, supports, and develops Ofcom licenced Community Radio, the National Community Radio conference is open to anyone involved with and interested in community or even local radio to attend.
Confirmed speakers and conversations include the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service, discussing the service and the opportunity for stations to tender for contracts, presenter development and training academies, small-scale DAB and more to be confirmed.
The event will also include time to discuss a change in Government and what’s required for community radio to thrive. The conversation will come weeks before a joint meeting between UKCRN and CMA with the new Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth.
Whilst most of the conference is aimed at managers and those involved in the running of Community Radio, the afternoon is being opened up for those heading to Cardiff for the Community Radio Awards, with discussions around presenter development production and more.
The session will also include the opportunity to apply for 1-2-1 sessions with local industry figures with experience in the BBC, Commercial Radio and Television, offering hints, tips and development within the afternoon ticket price.
UK Community Radio Network co-founder Nathan Spackman told RadioToday: “We’re excited to be bringing this years conference and awards to the Welsh Capital. We’ve seen a huge growth in talent and opportunities in recent years, so this is a great opportunity to showcase that and the work being done right across the UK.”
“We’ve got a really exciting range of speakers and discussions at this years conference, whilst allowing as much space as possible to discuss the key issues facing the sector and what’s required to allow Community stations to thrive.”
For those looking to spend the weekend in Cardiff, The UK Community Radio Network is working on plans for a Friday night get together, which is set to be announced in the weeks to come.
Tickets for the 2024 UKCRN Conference and Community Radio Awards are available here.

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Carol Vorderman has announced that she’s leaving her Sunday show on LBC after a recent health scare.
Posting on social media, Carol explained that after working seven-day weeks for as long as she can remember, just over two weeks ago, burned out and ended up staying in hospital overnight.
It happened when she arrived in London with her suitcase, feeling very unwell and exhausted with a tight feeling in her chest, so went to hospital.
She continued: “Luckily, after many scans and checks, we know that I don’t have any underlying health issues whatsoever.
“So, after a proper talking to from my family and my buddies, I’ve taken the health scare as a warning sign to slow down slightly and have decided to cut my work back to weekdays for now.
“It pains me to have to do it, but I’ve decided not to carry on with my Sunday show on @LBC.”
Carol says she’s fed up to have had to make the decision, as the show’s been really lively and a total joy, with so many new callers from around the country and growing numbers of listeners.
Although she won’t be hosting the Sunday show anymore, Carol says she’ll still be a part of the LBC family from time to time – teasing to stand by for more details.
Thanking listeners and her new friends at LBC, she concluded: “I’ll be continuing to make a lot of mischief and call out corruption and wrongdoing – that isn’t stopping but for now an ever so slightly less frenetic chapter begins.”
LBC told OnTheRadio.co.uk: “We completely understand Carol’s decision. Her health comes first and everyone here at LBC sends their best wishes. Carol’s show has been an essential Sunday listen and while we know many people will miss her, we look forward to having her back on LBC from time to time, soon.”

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Global’s Make Some Noise has raised £3.8 million during its annual fundraising appeal.
Presenters from Heart, Capital, Classic FM, Smooth Radio, LBC, Radio X, Capital Dance, Capital XTRA and Gold Radio, all came together in fancy dress outfits to inspire donations and raise awareness.
For this year’s Heart challenge – Amanda Holden’s Big Ride To Work – Amanda cycled a mammoth 250 miles from Cornwall to London over five days. Battling torrential rain and flat tyres, the Heart Breakfast host saw crowds turn out in their hundreds to cheer her on!

On his first ever Global’s Make Some Noise Day, Capital Breakfast presenter Jordan North took on an “All-Day Breakfast!” Jordan was live on Capital from 6am to 6pm and took on a series of daring tasks, including facing his fear of heights by scaling the iconic BT Tower up 842 steps to the 34th floor.

Meanwhile Radio X’s Toby Tarrant put the fun in fundraising with a unique challenge, powering a Unicorn for five days down the River Wey before ending on the River Thames. Toby’s efforts raised significant funds and showed the creative lengths that Global presenters go to, to support the charity.

Classic FM presenter Dan Walker completed a Coast-to-Coast bike challenge, cycling the full width of the North of England – more than 200 miles – in less than 48 hours. Conquering the steep Penines, Dan’s determination was met with overwhelming support from listeners who contributed generously throughout his journey.
Adding to the impressive efforts, Heart Scotland’s Des Clarke undertook Des’ Great Walk to Glasgow, trekking over 52 miles from Inverkeithing, Fife to Glasgow in less than 24 hours.
Elsewhere, Capital XTRA is hosting a comedy night on Thursday 24th October, with performances from top comedy talent including Axel Blake, Kae Kurd, Leah Davis, Kyrah Gray, and Finlay Christie.
Matt Wilkinson, Kelly BrookPhoto credit: Matt Crossick/Shutterstock for Global
Stephen Miron, Group CEO of Global, said: “Global’s Make Some Noise Day continues to show the incredible impact we can have when Globallers and our amazing listeners all come together. This year’s fundraising day was an inspiring reminder of how generosity and creativity can make a real difference to people’s lives. We are proud to support charities that do so much important work in communities across the UK.”
Suzanne Ryder Richardson, Director of Global Goodness, Global’s Make Some Noise, added: “We are yet again bowled over by the outpouring of support for this year’s Global’s Make Some Noise appeal. From Amanda Holden and Dan Walker’s cycle challenges, to Toby Tarrant’s incredible pedalo adventure, our presenters, partners and listeners have gone above and beyond to raise money.
“A huge thank you to everyone who donated and supported! The money raised really will help to make a life changing difference in local communities thanks to the vital projects that we support and fund. There’s still time to donate, to make sure nobody is left facing life’s toughest challenges alone.”

Furniture Village is the headline sponsor of Global’s Make Some Noise Day 2024. Universal Pictures UK, Domino’s, Quaker Oats, Digby Brown and Viking have also supported this year’s appeal.
Since launching in 2014, Global’s Make Some Noise has helped change the lives of over 200,000 people by funding over 480 community projects and charities.
Donations are still needed though, so to support vital projects right across the UK, text GIVE40, GIVE30, GIVE20 or GIVE10 to 70766 to donate £40, £30, £20 or £10.
100% of donations go to Global’s Make Some Noise.

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Radio X’s Toby Tarrant has finished his 56-mile unicorn pedalo charity challenge – Tarrant vs the Thames: One Wey or Another.
He’s raised over £255,000 for Global’s Make Some Noise after setting his goal at £35,000.
Disembarking the pedalo in Putney, west London, Toby embraced his wife Pippa, and glugged a well-deserved pint of Guinness to celebrate!
Because of the weather forecast, Tony started his challenge on the River Wey, doing 40 miles there before joining up with the Thames to complete 56 miles.

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