Journalism graduate hosts BBC Radio 1 show
Priya Matharu, who graduated from The Ƭ in BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism in 2019, presented the Asian Beats Show in December as part of BBC Radio 1’s Christmas schedule.
Priya saw the opportunity on Twitter and after applying she received a phone call from Head of Programmes at Radio 1, Aled Haydn Jones, who confirmed she had secured the presenting role for the Asian Beats Show.
She said: “I was on my way back from the Ƭ Student Radio Awards at the time, where I won Silver Best Specialist Programming for my show 'Desi Beats' on Shock Radio. So, I was already very happy, and the Radio 1 news just made me even happier...and a bit emotional!”
Over 1,100 people applied for the dream presenting role which was then shortlisted to 35 presenters.
Talking about the experience, she said: “It was incredible to be able to present on BBC Radio 1! This is once in a lifetime, so I don't take it for granted! I'd never been to the BBC studios in London before, so I was really excited. I got to meet the Radio 1 and Asian Network producers, which was amazing.”
She added: “To actually work with a producer and sit behind the Radio 1 microphone in the same chair as so many legends was very surreal! It went so quick, but I am grateful for the opportunity.”
Priya currently presents her show 'Desi Beats' at Birmingham's community station, Switch Radio, every Saturday 11pm-1am where she plays the best in Asian music and interviews upcoming artists. She hopes to present a show on national radio
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