UK

Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden have been confirmed as guest speakers at Tuning In 2025, Radiocentre’s annual conference.

The Heart Breakfast presenters will appear at London’s King’s Place next week, sharing their story of building the UK’s biggest commercial breakfast show since teaming up in 2019.
They will also reflect on a landmark year for Heart, which overtook BBC Radio 2 to become the country’s largest radio brand. The latest RAJAR figures show Heart Brand now reaching 13 million listeners weekly, 415,000 more than Radio 2, with the gap continuing to widen this year.
Jamie returned to the airwaves at the start of this year following treatment for stage one laryngeal cancer. Alongside Amanda, his comeback has been part of a strong period of growth for the station, supported by Heart’s decade and sister stations.
Radiocentre’s Tuning In conference explores developments across radio and audio. The event is free for advertisers, agencies and Radiocentre members, though in-person spaces are nearly full.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

BBC Radio 1 is bringing its Anthems strand to the stage for the first time this November with a live event in Bradford.

Radio 1 Anthems Live will take place on Saturday 15 November at Bradford Live, featuring performances from Busted, Tinie Tempah and Pixie Lott, plus DJ sets from Charlie Hedges and Dean McCullough.
The night will celebrate iconic tracks from the last two decades and is being hosted by Charlie Hedges, Dean McCullough and Lauren Redfern.
Busted said they are “stoked” to be playing the first ever Radio 1 Anthems Live, promising hits including Year 3000, Crashed The Wedding and Air Hostess. Tinie Tempah added: “Expect bangers upon bangers classic and new.”
The event forms part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme. Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, said: “I’m delighted that we’ll be bringing the very first Anthems Live to Bradford this November as part of the 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.”
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said the BBC partnership “goes from strength to strength” with the event, describing it as “an unforgettable night of pure unadulterated fun, joy and music with your favourite artists.”
Highlights will air on Radio 1 on Wednesday 19 November at 5pm, with coverage across Radio 1 and Radio 1 Anthems throughout the day.
Radio 1 Anthems launched on DAB+ last week, giving young audiences the chance to discover and rediscover music from the 2000s and 2010s. This year has also seen the debut of the Anthems Live Lounge, with the Bradford event marking another milestone.
As an official broadcast partner for Bradford’s City of Culture year, the BBC has already showcased cultural highlights across TV, radio and online, including drama, documentaries, comedy and family programming.
The BBC says more than 22 million people have already watched Bradford-focused content on TV and iPlayer between October last year and August this year.
Further details on Radio 1 Anthems Live are available at bbc.co.uk/anthemslive.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Fee Mak has joined East London homelessness charity Your Place as Patron.

Fee, who was born and raised in Newham, presents the Sunday morning show on BBC Radio 1Xtra and is also a regular television host. She has supported Your Place’s campaigns in recent years and her new role deepens her long-standing involvement with the charity.
Your Place is based in the London Borough of Newham, which has the highest rate of homelessness in the country with one in every eighteen residents without a secure home. The charity provides safe accommodation as well as tailored support, including access to health services, skills training and employment pathways.
Amanda Dubarry, Chief Executive of Your Place, said the charity was “absolutely thrilled” to welcome Fee as Patron. Amanda added that her Newham roots and ongoing public support for the organisation made her an ideal advocate for its work.
Fee said: “Homelessness is a major issue that deserves our attention, especially here in Newham. Since my secondary school days, volunteering and giving back have always been close to my heart. I’m honoured to support the vital work Your Place is doing to empower people and change lives in my community.”
Her appointment as Patron is expected to help Your Place connect with new audiences, particularly young people, and inspire residents who are following creative careers of their own.
Your Place continues to deliver its mission of ending homelessness one person at a time through personalised support.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Community station West Kent Radio has applied to extend its FM coverage to include the town of Sevenoaks.
The application has been published by Ofcom and is now open for consultation.
West Kent Radio is currently licenced to serve Tonbridge, Southborough and Tunbridge Wells, to the south of Sevenoaks, on three FM frequencies.
In support of the application, Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott said she believed the extension would help address the gap in local broadcasting. “I know that for many residents – particularly older people and those who are less digitally connected – it is incredibly important to have access to trusted, relevant and timely local news and traditional FM radio,” she said.
Laura added: “Sadly, the reduction in BBC local radio services and the decline of local print journalism has left a real gap in the provision of reliable, community-focused content. I firmly believe that West Kent Radio, which already provides high-quality, volunteer-led broadcasting in neighbouring areas, is well placed to fill that gap.”
West Kent Radio’s News Editor, Martin Webber, highlighted the support the station has built locally. He said: “West Kent Radio has been building a team with considerable experience in UK media to curate a truly informative and engaging service for our listeners.”
He added that the station has been able to offer a wide range of contributors through strong collaboration. “Thanks to the excellent cooperation from BBC Radio Kent, our partners at Sky and all our local councillors, MPs and local people who have engaged with us, we have access to a range of voices that is unique to our station.
“Sevenoaks is deeply integrated into our existing area and we are hopeful Ofcom will be able to agree to our coverage extension request.”
West Kent Radio launched in 2021. Its commitments under Ofcom include promoting healthy lifestyles, facilitating discussion and expression of opinion, and strengthening community links across its broadcast area.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

More than 100 former staff came together in Bradford on Saturday to mark 50 years since the launch of Pennine Radio.
The reunion was held at the Bankfield Hotel in Bingley, with attendees sharing memories, listening to classic jingles, and browsing a display of station memorabilia collected from across the decades.
Among the guests were four of the original launch team from 1975, Peter Milburn, Dorothy Box, Peter Levy and Lesley Blessington. A montage of old show clips was played during the evening, prompting stories and conversations about the station’s early years and its later transformation.
The event was organised by Melanie Perrett and Brian Cooke, who spent a year tracking down past presenters, producers, journalists and technical staff to bring them back together. For many, it was the first time seeing old colleagues for decades.
Alan Ross, who delivered the welcoming speech, said afterwards the evening had been “a fitting tribute to some great radio stations and people.”
He also paid tribute to the effort that went into reuniting so many familiar faces in one place.
Although Pennine Radio began broadcasting in 1975 to serve Bradford and West Yorkshire, the station later rebranded as the Pulse before becoming part of Bauer’s Hits Radio network. Many of those who worked there went on to careers in broadcasting around the UK.
Organisers described the gathering as likely to be the last of its kind, making the evening especially significant for those who attended. The anniversary highlighted the enduring impact of Pennine Radio on the city’s broadcasting history and the role it played in the lives of staff and listeners alike.
James Cridland has also featured the event in his latest radio newsletter, Radioland, which you can subscribe to here.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]

Absolute Radio Live will be back at the London Palladium on Sunday 16 November this year, raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

The comedy event will be hosted by Absolute Radio presenters Jon Richardson and Matt Forde and features James Acaster, Kerry Godliman, Adam Hills, Fatiha El-Ghorri, Tom Davis and Dinesh Nathan.
All profits from the night will support Prostate Cancer UK’s research and awareness work. The charity says one in eight men will get prostate cancer, with Black men at double the risk.
Alison Day, Director of Communications at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Absolute Radio Live and look forward to a stellar evening of laughter at the London Palladium. From James Acaster to Fatiha El-Ghorri, the night will be one to remember.”
She added: “With all profits from ticket sales going to Prostate Cancer UK, it’ll make a lasting impact on men’s health too.”
The charity is currently funding its TRANSFORM trial, aiming to develop a safe and effective national screening programme. Money raised will also help pay for awareness campaigns and support services for men living with and after prostate cancer.
Absolute Radio Live has become a regular fixture on the comedy calendar, pairing well-known and emerging comedians to raise money for charity. This year marks another collaboration with Prostate Cancer UK at one of London’s most famous venues.

#mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; false;clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width: 600px;}
/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.
We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. */ […]