Introducing all 33 of Radio 1’s new Christmas Presenters Class of 2020!

Congratulations to all of you!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a demo, we again had 1,100 entries. I’m sorry if this year wasn’t yours but let’s see what 2021 brings! https://t.co/XWtbtajS2X

— Aled Haydn Jones (@ahj) December 3, 2020

Will Kirk, who works in marketing from Sheffield, is amongst the lucky 33 to be chosen for this exciting opportunity. Will, 22 has a profound hearing loss in both ears and wears hearing aids. He will be fronting the Radio 1 Drum and bass show and will be radio 1’s first hard-of-hearing DJ. He told BBC News, “I got my first hearing aid at 11 months old. It’s something I’ve always known, that’s always been a part of me. I like to make a good joke because I can’t change it so I might as well make people laugh about it.”

Will intends to inspire others with hearing difficulties to follow in his footsteps. He talks to BBC News about his hobby and encourages other’s to do the same by saying, “To come up and have DJing as a hobby when you are deaf just seems like a ridiculous combination – but just go for it. I’m sure anybody that’s disabled will say you can find a way to get things done and don’t let anything pull you down – including yourself. Don’t pull yourself down about anything, just go out there and do it.” 

Jevanni Letford, a previous lawyer from East London, moved into a career in radio and music and is now the official tour DJ for KSI . She will cover Rickie, Melvin and Charlie’s show.  Danny Diston from Cornwall, works as a teaching assistant in a school for special educational needs and will front Radio 1’s life hacks. Metro reported Nels Hylton, who will be the first black presenter to host Radio 1’s Rock Show to of said, “It’s really humbling to be selected as part of Radio 1’s Christmas line-up, even more so to be the first Black broadcaster to present the Radio 1 Rock Show. I can’t wait to host the show and prove that rock music is for everybody.”

The presenters that have been chose from the student and community radio include DJ and YouTuber Shay Sade, from no signal radio Dean McCullough and previous volunteer for Wandsworth radio, Bolton FM and Gaydio, Ellen Macleod. Ellen is currently at the University of Salford and has mobility difficulties. She manages the student radio and co-hosts a podcast with two friends. There are sure to be many tuning in to the emerging talent, who will be entertaining us with their talent over the festive period.

List of presenters 

Alex West, 22, from Reading, and Numi Gildert, 26, from Macclesfield (The Official Chart on Radio 1)
Cal Carthy, 25, from Hertfordshire (Radio 1 Dance)
Connor Coates, 27, from Belfast (Radio 1’s Dance Anthems)
Dan Alani, 29, from Birmingham (Radio 1’s Future Sounds)
Danni Diston, 23, from Cornwall, and Sam MacGregor, 22, from Maidenhead (Radio 1’s Life Hacks)
Darcy Kelly, 20, from Jersey (Radio 1 Anthems)
Dave Treacy, 39, from Dublin (Danny Howard)
Dean McCullough, 28, from Belfast (Radio 1 Anthems)
DJ Davda, 21, from London (Radio 1’s Soundsystem)
DJ Nate, 31, from Ealing (Boxing Day afternoon on 1Xtra)
Ellen Macleod, 20, from Bolton (The Happy Hour from Radio 1)
Emily Pilbeam, 23, from Leeds (BBC Introducing on Radio 1)
James Cusack, 33, from Manchester (Radio 1 Anthems)
Jess Iszatt, 29, from Hertfordshire (Radio 1’s Chillest Show)
Jevanni Letford, 31, from London (Rickie, Melvin and Charlie)
Kerrie Cosh, 29, from Northamptonshire (Radio 1 Anthems)
Laurie Charlesworth, 27, from Leicester (Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show)
Mo Ayoub, 26, from London (Benji B)
Nels Hylton, 24, from London (Radio 1’s Rock Show)
Nikki Tesla, 26, from Birmingham (Annie Nightingale)
Rakeem Omar, 28, from Birmingham (Radio 1 Anthems)
Rebekah Walker, 26, from London (Radio 1 Anthems)
Robyn Richford, 28, from Glasgow (Radio 1 Anthems)
Sarah Gosling, 27, from Devon (Radio 1’s Future Artists)
Sarah Story, 31, from Carlisle (Radio 1’s Dance Party)
Shay Sade, 26, from Kingston (Radio 1’s Future Sounds)
Shivani Dave, 25, from Swindon (Radio 1 Anthems)
Spin-Milz, 20, from Chingford (The 1Xtra Takeover)
Vicky Hawkesworth, 24, from Bolton (Radio 1 Anthems)
Victoria Jane, 22, from Manchester (The 1Xtra Takeover)
Will Kirk, 22, from Sheffield (Guest mix for Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show)

The tour will begin on 25th June where Pete will take his Ibiza dance anthem show to Franklin Gardens in Northampton. He will then perform at Newcastle Racecourse on June 26th, Newmarket Racecourse on August 13th and finishing up in Colwyn Bay the next day. Pete played to a sell out crowed for a proms night at the Royal Albert Hall for a Proms night 3 years ago, which lead to him deciding to take his show on the road.

JUST ANNOUNCED: See @petetong and The Heritage Orchestra live at Colwyn Bay on 14 August 2021. Grab your tickets early in our presale on Wed 18 Nov 2020 at 09:00 here >> https://t.co/Fmh87ckNKs<< pic.twitter.com/c6A3WzrSgr

— ticketmasteruk (@TicketmasterUK) November 16, 2020

Pete spoke to the East Anglian Daily Times about his tour next year saying “I can’t remember a time where I was more excited and looking forward to playing. After being locked down for over a year, that energy is going to blow the place apart.” The Director of Colwyn Bay, Pablo Janczur said to North Wales Live on next year’s event, “We ‘ve promoted this show in outdoor locations twice with great success and its always been the highlight of our summer so we can wait to bring it to Colwyn Bay. Get ready to party North Wales.” 

Pete is one of the most famous DJ’s of today and has gained a huge following his ‘Essential Collection,’ classic dance anthem releases. From 2003-2007 he was the resident DJ at ‘Pacha Nightclub’ in Ibiza. In 2011, he returned to Pacha for a Friday night event called ‘All Gone Pete Tong.’ That year he played the ‘Together Winter Music Festival’ on 26th November at Alexandra Palace. In addition, he hosts an annual pool party for the ‘Miami Music Week.’ His ‘Classic House’ album has sold more than 200,000 copies and has reached Number 1 in the charts in the UK.

There is no doubt that Pete Tong is looking forward to embracing the Summer months with his ‘Ibiza Classics’ tour. When speaking to Northampton Saints about his visit to Franklin Garden’s next June he said,  “I can’t remember a time in my life where I was more excited and looking forward to playing to the people who will be coming to watch ‘Ibiza Classics’ at Franklin’s Gardens.”

Mark Darbon, chief executive for the Northampton Saints commented, “We’re delighted to welcome such an iconic DJ to Franklin’s Gardens next summer. Music lovers can expect to hear a unique combination of throwback anthems and dance music’s trending songs, as well as a jaw-dropping light show.”

Following the Summer tour, Tong will gig in Nottingham, Manchester, Brighton, Birmingham and London’s O2 Arena during the Winter Season. There is no doubt that following the lockdown this year, dance music lovers will be looking forward to an incredible show with visual effects and classic club tunes.

Tour Dates

25/06/2021 – Franklins Gardens, Northampton
36/06 – Racecourse, Newcastle
13/08 – Racecourse, Newmarket
14/08 – Stadium Zipworld, Colwyn Bay
26/11 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
27,11 –  AO Arena, Manchester
01/12 – The Brighton Centre, Brighton
02/12 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
03/12 – O2 Arena, London
04/12 – O2 Arena, London