Meet Radio 1's Christmas Presenters of 2021
These presenters take over Radio 1 from Boxing Day until New Year’s Day
Starting Boxing Day and running through to New Years Day, Radio 1 is being taken over by our Christmas Presenters. Applications to be involved opened back in September, and from thousands of entries, we can now announce the new presenters who'll be on air this December.
Here's the lowdown on who you will be hearing this Christmas:
Sebastian Bailey
Sebastian Bailey currently presents on Somer Valley Drivetime, and this Christmas he will be presenting a special Radio 1 Anthems show.
"Having discovered the power of radio as a teenager, I fell in love with the idea of being part of a community of people all hearing the same thing at the same time," he says.
He loves to play on-air games, and tell funny stories - and be sure to listen out for mentions of his crazy dog Milo!
Matty Chiabi
London-based DJ Matty Chiabi is one of the presenters taking on Radio 1 Anthems this Christmas.
She'll be bringing the energy she uses to present Early Get Up on Westside Radio - where she's used to waking people up and setting them up for their day - and the music knowledge she's gained from her DJ Collective, Girls Don't Sync.
Alice Dale
Redhill-based Alice Dale is a presenter, radio producer and soon-to-be podcaster.
She’s worked in student radio (Nottingham Trent’s FLY FM) and commercial, and she can’t wait to host a Radio 1 Anthems show this Christmas.
“Radio connects all the good bits,” she says. “It’s home.”
Elliot Darby
Elliot is a regular presenter on BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service), and on Christmas Day 2020 he hosted a special show on Radio 1 bringing messages of support for UK troops serving overseas.
He grew up creating made-up radio shows via a second-hand karaoke machine and some cassette tapes, and it’s been his dream to host shows on Radio 1 ever since.
This Christmas he will host a special Radio 1 Anthems show.
Daniella Gualtieri
Glasgow presenter and podcaster Daniella Gualtieri will be presenting a special Radio 1 Anthems show this Christmas.
She has been a radio presenter since 2013, and in January she will be launching her new podcast Chit Chat & Aw That.
Of Radio 1, she says: "I have listened to the station for over 10 years and haven't found the need to change as it always evolving! It's so grounded in the content it creates and isn't afraid to try something new or give someone a chance!"
Jack Miles
Jack Miles’ love for radio started when he was a teenager, and he’s since gone on to host shows for Heart, BFBS and KMFM.
This Christmas he will join the new presenters hosting Radio 1 Anthems.
A keen cook with a love for the outdoors, he shared a houseboat with his girlfriend and dog, travelling around the UK and taking residence in new locations.
On his love for Radio 1, he says “it will make you laugh and it will get you through tough times - as we’ve seen so much after the last couple of years.”
Emma Millen
Newcastle upon Tyne-based Emma Millen cannot wait to get started on Radio 1 Anthems this Christmas.
“You know as soon as you tune in during the day, you are going to be entertained,” she says of the station.
A presenter at Spark Sunderland, she won gold in Best Music Show/Presenter at 2020’s Student Radio Awards, and she's also worked in voiceovers and audio documentaries.
Natalie O'Leary
Manchester-based Natalie O'Leary describes herself as a "professional talker since day one".
She grew up listening to her parents' music and downloading her own tunes after school, and this Christmas she'll get to share her passion for music with listeners on Radio 1 Anthems.
She says: "Radio 1 has been with me my whole life, how many things can you say that about?"
Alexinder Riyat
Alexinder Riyat’s first experience presenting radio was at Warwick University, where he co-hosted an ‘Agony Uncle’ show, attempting to answer students’ problems like the housework rota and relationship woes.
He’s since gone on to present on Asian Star Radio, Lyca Radio and currently hosts a Saturday show on Asian FX, and this Christmas he will host a special Radio 1 Anthems show.
He’s also a keen dancer and is trained in Bhangra.
Angelle
Angelle has been a pioneer of unsigned, undiscovered and under-the-radar music in Suffolk, as the presenter of their local BBC Music Introducing show, and this Christmas she will be at the helm of BBC Introducing on Radio 1.
She also presents a show on BBC Radio Suffolk called Belongings which gives space and voice to local marginalised groups, and over the last few years she's presented and hosted mixes on BBC Sounds for BBC Introducing, 1Xtra, and 6 Music.
She says: "I’m ecstatic to be able to present and showcase emerging artists on national radio, what an absolute dream."
Bhavotelli
North London's Bhavotelli is currently a presenter on Westside Radio in Ealing.
While visiting cousins in the US when he was growing up, he got his first taste of hip hop, listening to Dr. Dre, Tupac, and Ja Rule.
This Christmas he will be presenting the Rap Show on 1Xtra.
CassKidd
Sitting in for Benji B this Christmas is CassKidd, a music producer, DJ and broadcaster from Abbey Wood, South East London.
He has produced official remixes for the likes of Wiley, Izzy Bizu, and Afro B, runs a label called Channel Alt, and presents a weekly Reprezent Radio show.
In 2020, his achievements in radio landed him into the Radio Academy's ARIA 30 Under 30 list.
Kerrie Cosh
In last year's Christmas Presenter Search, Kerrie Cosh was chosen to present Radio 1’s Anthems, and this year she’s back to cover Jack Saunders on Radio 1’s Future Artists.
She started out presenting on student radio, followed by community radio, and now presents BBC Music Introducing in Northampton and three evening shows on BBC Radio Northampton.
She says: "Getting to be a Christmas presenter for two years running is absolutely unreal... This year's going to be an exciting ride."
Liam Daly & Chess Warren
University of York students Liam Daly and Chess Warren took home the Best Chart Show award at this year’s Student Radio Awards.
The prize for winning this award for University Radio York is the chance to host Radio 1's Official Chart Show over the festive period.
They will make their Radio 1 debut on New Year's Eve.
Ifan Davies
Ifan Davies is a presenter, producer, musician and avid record collector who has five years experience at BBC Radio Cymru making specialist music programmes.
As a music lover, he's very excited to take on the Power Down Playlist this Christmas, as he has co-presented with current host Sian Eleri in the past.
He says: "Getting the chance to present on Radio 1 is absolutely surreal. I’m really excited to share some of my favourite chilled out tunes with the listeners over Christmas. Doing so covering for Sian on the Power Down Playlist, as a fellow Welsh presenter makes it even more special! Diolch Radio 1."
Emma-Louise
Emma-Louise is a presenter and producer who has hosted content for BBC Bitesize and CBBC, and presented radio programmes at festivals and live music events.
She has also worked in production at Radio 1 and 1Xtra, CBeebies, BBC One and Channel 4.
In her free time, she loves to cook, bake and find new music.
Over the festive period, she will be sitting in for Victoria Jane on Radio 1's Future Soul.
Follow her on Instagram.
Alyx Holcombe
Alyx Holcombe is a presenter, producer and podcaster based in London.
She created her show ALYX PLAYS PUNK to help underground bands get in to the spotlight.
She is also co-host of the podcast 'On Wednesdays We Wear Black', which is hosted by women and non-binary people of colour who have established themselves in the rock and metal industry.
Over Christmas, she will be sitting in for Daniel P Carter on her favourite Radio 1 show - the Rock Show.
She says: "I've lived and breathed rock music since I can remember. I've adored The Radio 1 Rock Show for years and I still can't quite believe this is happening."
Phoebe I-H
Scottish writer and broadcaster Phoebe I-H will make her Radio 1 debut on Future Dance this Christmas.
She currently supports new musicians every week as the co-presenter of BBC Music Introducing in Scotland and is looking forward to supporting up and coming DJs and producers as she sits in for Sarah Story.
Lashawna
As a child Lashawna Rose was constantly listening to music through her headphones, and spent many days in her school's IT suites pretending to be a radio host.
She has now been presenting on Reprezent Radio for the last five years, sharing music that she feels is undiscovered and deserves more recognition.
She will be joining our Christmas presenters as the host of the 1Xtra Takeover on Radio 1, and she says: "I love Radio 1 because I truly believe it's the home for presenters that live outside of the box."
Laughta
Laughta is a musician, producer & presenter, who can be found on the ‘Laughta Gas Show’ show on Reprezent Radio, and on the BBC Three show and podcast Galdem Sugar.
As a self-taught music producer Laughta is a champion of female and gender minority talent, and runs youth courses teaching music production.
She will be presenting Radio 1's Soundsystem over Christmas.
She says: "I never imagined this day would come. What an incredible Christmas present, thank you Radio 1!"
Maia Beth
Maia Lowerson is a journalist and producer who has worked for BBC News, and also presents on Islington Radio.
Her show The Sound Of focuses on a different UK city every week, and looks at the new music coming out of that area.
She will be bringing this love and knowledge of new music to Radio 1 this Christmas as she sits in for Clara Amfo on Future Sounds.
She says: "My heart's full of love and excitement to be doing Future Sounds, not just for me (although I'm low-key buzzing) but because it's amazing to be able to highlight the very best female/non-binary and regional artists. Feeling so blessed!"
Follow her on Instagram.
Carrie Morrison & Alex Woolhouse
This Christmas, Carrie Morrison and Alex Woolhouse will be taking over Radio 1's Life Hacks.
Carrie Morrison started out in broadcasting in student radio at the University of York. Since then, they have become a presenter and podcast producer, hosting a weekly film review show on The Bear Radio called Lights, Carrie, Action.
"This is honestly a dream come true... Can’t wait to bring some fun, festive, fabulousness!"
Wakefield's Alex Woolhouse trained as a solicitor, but after being qualified for twelve hours she decided that she wanted to do something more. Now, she's been a panellist on Virgin Pride Radio, a Guardian podcastress of the week for She Said, They Said, and a voiceover artist for POSE on BBC iPlayer.
She says: "I grew up listening to Radio 1 in the car going to and from school so I can’t wait for you to hear all I’ve learned and how I Hack Life on Boxing Day."
Fabienne Oliver & Nakia Oliver
Sisters Nakia and Fabienne Oliver return to Radio 1 after their success as Radio 1 Christmas presenters in 2019, covering for Danny Howard on Radio 1 Dance.
Nakia and Fabienne have made names for themselves as DJs and radio presenters in the Manchester area, and this year they will be sitting in for Annie Nightingale.
They say: "We are absolutely buzzing to be presenting a show on BBC Radio 1 for the second time, we can’t wait to drop some bangers."
Follow their joint Instagram.
Follow Nakia on Twitter.
Sweetpea
By day Sweetpea is an NHS worker, and by night, she's a radio presenter, DJ and drum & bass producer.
She started out on pirate radio station RudeFM, and she has played at some of the biggest venues and festivals in the UK, and this Christmas she will be covering the Drum & Bass Show with René LaVice.
She says: "After being a regular listener of the show, starting back with DJ Flight on 1Xtra, I am so gassed to be covering! I’m renaming it the D&Pea show, and expect nothing less than the full 360."
Charlie Tee
Charlie Tee is a DJ & broadcaster from Hertfordshire with a passion for electronic dance music.
This Christmas she will be taking on Radio 1's Dance Party, bringing with her nearly a decade of experience as a DJ and radio presenter on KISS FM.
She says, "As an electronic music lover Radio 1 to me is the absolute. It really is the pinnacle and front runner for specialist music."
James Threlfall
James Threlfall is a presenter, podcaster, DJ, and professional skateboarder, and this Christmas he will be presenting Radio 1's Dance Anthems.
Since 2019 he's presented on BBC local radio in the west of England, in 2020 he became the presenter of BBC Music Introducing in the West, and in 2021, he was a finalist for Best Newcomer at the BBC’s Frank Gillard Awards.
He's hosted podcasts, documentaries, social content and more for BBC Sport, BBC Three and BBC Sounds.
He's very passionate about young people and mental health, and his work in these areas saw him receive an MBE from the Queen aged 25.
He says: "Getting on BBC Radio 1 has been a real dream for me... I can’t wait to bring all the energy and amazing tunes to New Year’s Day!"
Luke Wallwork
Luke Wallwork's earliest memories are listening to the radio in his dad's car, and when the pandemic left him stranded abroad, he started making radio himself.
He now presents On The Radar on Liverpool Community Radio, which showcases the best emerging talent from Liverpool.
Being passionate about up-and-coming artists, he says that his love for Radio 1 comes from "the open route musicians get for their music to be played on national radio".
He says: "To be presenting the Chillest Show is quite the dream. Hopefully, I can manage to bottle the excitement and keep the Chillest show actually chill."
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