A FORMER Evesham Hospital Radio DJ will take to the airwaves on Christmas Day as part of a four hour takeover of BBC Radio 1 by BFBS.
Ben Coley will be one of eight BFBS presenters taking part in the special series of shows between 10am to 2pm to bring together troops serving abroad and their families in the UK.
As the continuing pandemic means many members of the forces will be unable to return to the UK to spend time with their families the station will broadcast four one-hour shows from miltary bases in Cyprus, Germany, Brunei, Gibraltar and Bahrain.
Each of the shows will feature messages from members of the forces and some surprise guests, plus plenty of Christmas music to soundtrack the celebrations of families around the world.
The 23-year-old and co-presenter Akylah Rodriguez (pictured) will kick off the takeover at 10am from Cyprus.
Ben, a former Prince Henry’s High School student, started radio presenting when he was 16 on Evesham Hospital Radio and then North Cotswold Community Radio (NCCR).
He joined Nerve Student Radio at Bournemouth University and presented the SRA chart show, specialist music shows and drive time – this led to him picking up two nominations and a bronze award at the National Student Radio Awards.
Ben also spent time freelancing as an assistant producer at Virgin Radio and BBC Radio Solent whilst producing his own podcast on the side. He currently hosts the afternoon show on BFBS Cyprus.
“The phrase ‘dream come true’ gets thrown around a lot, but the opportunity to present even for an hour on Radio 1 really does hit that mark for me,” Bishampton-born Ben said.
“I also can’t wait to connect our armed forces community from all over the world to their loved ones back at home after this awful year, so to be doing this in the world we currently live in is an opportunity like no other.”
“Radio 1 is the station that made me love and appreciate radio. I think it’s the absolute pinnacle for what radio can offer, with some of the most talented broadcasters in the world.
Aled Haydn Jones, head of BBC Radio 1, said: “Throughout this year Radio 1 has been striving to ensure the voices of young people are heard during the pandemic. This Christmas, with so many young troops unable to return home, I’m pleased we’re able to do something to put a spotlight on them and help connect them to their families over the holiday period.”
Nicky Ness, director of Broadcasting and Entertainment for BFBS, said: “At BFBS we work tirelessly to entertain and inform our armed forces, and to keep those serving overseas connected with family and friends at home.
“So, in a year where many people have been missing their loved ones, we’re especially thrilled to be working alongside Radio 1 on Christmas Day to help us connect our forces with home.”
