News
Rich Williams gets the drivetime slot on Yorkshire’s Radio Aire — and wheels out stories about his Jewish mother-in-law
April 22, 2009 17:43
Meet Rich Williams, the new presenter of a drivetime show on 96.3 Radio Aire — one of the biggest commercial radio stations in Yorkshire.
Leeds-based Mr Williams, who took up his new post on Monday, entertains listeners weekdays from 3 to 7pm. He had spent the previous five years as “Monkey Boy” on Simon Logan’s breakfast show.
“I have wanted to do the drivetime slot for a while now,” the 27-year-old tells People. “It’s a good-paced, energetic show, so I am really pleased to get my hands on it. I won’t miss the early morning starts.”
He adds: “Being a Leeds lad it feels great to be given the opportunity to fulfil my dream of having my own show on the station I listened to while growing up.”
He says he gets his inspiration for the show from everyday life, particularly his family — much to his wife Naomi’s dislike. “I talk about a lot about stuff that my wife does. She goes mad at me for mentioning things the family have done. Jewish people — and mother-in-laws — are great for content.”
Does he worry about not having enough to say? No chance. “It’s a case of not having enough time to fit everything in.” The show includes the feature “I’ll say anything” where listeners can text or email him with anything they want said on air (no swearing obviously), and he will broadcast it. There is also the part where he reads the travel news in song, appropriately called “Singing Travel”.
Mr Williams started working for Radio Aire while studying at Leeds University, where he did some stints for student television and made it to the final few of a BBC talent search competition. “I never really planned on doing radio. It just kind of happened.”
He also presents a mid-morning show on The Hits Radio, available on DAB Digital Radio in London, online and on Freeview.
Hear him at http://www.whatson.com/radioaire/