Local DJs Secure BBC Radio 1 Shows for Christmas Takeover

This Christmas, two radio presenters will receive a significant opportunity on national radio, having been granted their own programs on BBC Radio 1. Kitty Perrin, previously a student at the University of East Anglia (UEA), and Matt Hallsworth, who hails from Harleston, Norfolk, have been selected to participate in the current year’s Radio 1 Christmas Takeover event. This initiative offers emerging talent the opportunity to present a single program on the United Kingdom’s largest youth radio station. Hallsworth, aged 20, characterized his selection as a “pinch me moment”. He expressed his hope that this experience would serve as a “calling card” to assist him in pursuing employment prospects within the intensely competitive industry. Hallsworth, currently associated with Salford University’s Shock Radio, recently earned recognition as the best presenter for the best chart show at the most recent Student Radio Awards. Perrin, 24 years old, relocated from Brighton to Norwich to pursue studies in history and politics at the UEA. Her previous roles include hosting BBC Music Introducing in Norfolk, a platform dedicated to supporting unsigned artists, and The Social, a program created by and for young audiences. She stated, “Every time you walk into [a BBC] building it feels a bit surreal.” Prior to her time at Radio Norfolk, Kitty consistently submitted applications annually to participate in the Radio 1 Christmas Takeover. Upon receiving the call informing this year’s applicants of their success, she was surprised and wondered: “What’s the catch?” Aled Haydn Jones, the head of Radio 1, commented: “Christmas Takeover is not just about giving new presenters a platform, but about shaping the future of radio itself and it has been incredibly rewarding to see this initiative thrive over the past five years and see the successes it has created.” Hallsworth’s early breakfast playlist is scheduled to broadcast on Sunday, 29 December at 06:00 GMT. Perrin’s program, focusing on future artists, will air on Monday, 30 December at 20:00 GMT. Updates on Norfolk news are available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.