Paul Woodland

Paul is the voice of Essential Breakfast every weekday morning – bringing you music, info and morning mayhem to start the day right.

Paul worked full-time on FM station 90.1 Hope FM until 2010. Alongside his weekday afternoon show (2–5pm), he managed the production studio, created on-air content, handled advertiser requirements and maintained the music library. In the absence of the station manager, he also stepped into that leadership role.

After relocating to Scotland in 2011, Paul earned an HNC in Radio from Edinburgh College and continued with an HND in Radio at City of Glasgow College. He went on to found and run Scene Radio – Scotland’s first LGBT+ radio station – until its closure in 2018 following the passing of his partner.

Since then, Paul has stayed active in radio on a voluntary basis with stations such as Xpress Radio Scotland, The Online Station, Irvine Beat and UWS Radio. His passion for broadcasting continues to shine every morning on Essential Radio.

Bex McNamee

Bex brings fun, energy and student buzz to Feelgood Lunch and The Midweek Mash-Up.

She describes her life as a daily cartoon episode – full of unpredictability and humour. A lover of 2000s pop culture, Bex is big on Buffy, Scooby-Doo, 80s hip-hop and anything with nostalgia and chaos mixed in.

Get to know Bex

• When do you pack for a holiday? About 2 hours before leaving!
• In the fridge: Energy drinks and strawberries
• Movie star alter-ego: Early 2000s Sarah Michelle Gellar (wishful thinking!)
• Biography title: Young Dumb n Broke
• Most bizarre experience: “My whole life feels like one – I live like a cartoon character”
• Most embarrassing moment: Calling teachers “mum”... too many times
• Dream app: A competitive subtitle game that could land you work with Netflix
• Spotify shame or pride? “Sure, but it’s full of 2000s music and 80s hip-hop!”
• TV guilty pleasure: Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse – her comfort show

Scott O’Hare

Oh yes! Scott eases you out of the workday on Essential Hometime, with upbeat tunes, campus updates and his trademark dry wit. OHH YESSSSS!!!!

Faith Montgomery

Faith lights up Friday lunchtimes with a positive energy boost on her edition of Feelgood Lunch.

Faith has a background in performing arts and volunteers regularly for causes she cares about. Passionate about music, mental health and equality, she’s as comfortable at a festival as she is at an indie gig.

Get to know Faith

• When do you pack for holiday? A week in advance – she plans her outfits!
• In the fridge: Monster and Red Bull (essentials!)
• Movie star alter-ego: Jenna Ortega
• Biography title: Reputation of a Goth ⚕️
• Most bizarre experience: Standing up in her chair for the first time
• Most embarrassing moment: Being sick on stage
• Dream app: A kettle-lifter to make coffee
• Spotify shame: “No!! Way too much alternative music”
• TV guilty pleasure: Coronation Street

Lee Everest

Lee brings the fire every weekend on Ready for the Weekend — a high-energy show bursting with bangers, feel-good beats and party-starting tunes to kick off your Saturday night in style.

Broadcasting from the South Coast, Lee’s all about upbeat vibes, floor-fillers and keeping you dancing from the first song to the last. Whether it’s fresh anthems or old-school floor-shakers, he’s got your weekend soundtrack sorted.

Get to know Lee

• When do you pack for holiday? The day before – keeps things exciting!
• In the fridge: Milk, cheese and a stash of yoghurts.
• Movie star alter-ego: Jim Carrey – unpredictable energy guaranteed.
• Biography title: You Win Some, You Lose Some
• Most bizarre experience: Flying over Las Vegas in a helicopter at night.
• Most embarrassing moment: Karaoke on stage in Brighton. Enough said.
• Dream app: One to control your home radio studio from your phone!
• Spotify shame: No shame – let’s go live!
• TV guilty pleasure: From the Earth to the Moon
• When he's not on Essential Radio: Watching documentaries and tuning in to other dance shows for inspiration.

Ronny Costello

Ronny brings the energy every week on Club Classics — a high-octane hour of dance anthems, floor-fillers and old-school bangers from across the decades. Expect non-stop throwbacks, forgotten gems and iconic club tunes mixed with love.

He caught the DJ bug on a Magaluf holiday in 1999, watching Seb Fontaine work the decks at BCM. A Numark DJ-in-a-box set and a stack of vinyl later, his journey began. Those records? Still in his mum’s loft.

From hospital radio to commercial stations and now award-winning shows and podcasts, Ronny’s been in the game since 2000 — and still spends most weekends behind the decks somewhere!

For more, follow @thisisclubclassics on Instagram & Facebook or visit clubclassicsradioshow.com.

Get to know Ronny

• When do you pack for holiday? Probably while the taxi’s on the way.
• In the fridge: Energy drinks and leftover pizza. Essentials only.
• Movie star alter-ego: Martin Compston (with better dance moves).
• Biography title: Beats, Banter & BCM
• Most bizarre experience: DJing in a lift. Yes, an actual working lift.
• Most embarrassing moment: Pressing stop instead of play mid-set. Club went silent. Mortified.
• Dream app: One that beams you straight to Ibiza.
• Spotify shame: Probably that 90s boyband playlist. No further questions.
• TV guilty pleasure: Gladiators. Old and new. He’s obsessed.
• When he's not on Essential Radio: DJing, podcasting, or trying not to buy more vinyl.

David Southway

David is the voice behind Soul Vaults, a show that celebrates the rich heritage of soul music — not just playing the classics, but sharing the stories behind them. His background in radio dates back to 1970 as one of the first DJs on BBC Radio Bristol and he’s stayed connected to broadcasting ever since.

Balancing life in business and radio, David has worked across major commercial stations in the South of England including GWR, Classic Gold, WFM and Star. With a deep knowledge of old soul and a passion for its legacy, Soul Vaults is more than just a playlist — it's a guided journey through a golden genre.

Get to know David

• When do you pack for holiday? Usually the day before — time-honoured tradition!
• In the fridge: Sunday? Full. Ask again Friday and it might be a different story.
• Movie star alter-ego: Himself. “I need the money.”
• Biography title: Yer Tiz – a West Country phrase meaning “Here it is.” (Written and published!)
• Most bizarre experience: Getting mugged in Las Vegas — and being told he was *lucky* it wasn’t worse.
• Most embarrassing moment: Using the ladies’ loo in a London hotel… door open… mid-flow… full audience. Say no more.
• Dream app: Something that helps you *avoid* the wrong toilet.
• Spotify shame: No shame – it’s a solid mix of old and new soul, always.
• TV guilty pleasure: Not Love Island... but he's *heard* the scenery’s nice.
• When he's not on Essential Radio: Researching, scripting and compiling the next visit to the Soul Vaults – a true labour of love.

Davy Sims

Davy presents Around the World, bringing you global sounds from every corner of the planet. It’s a journey through world music, informed by decades of radio experience and a serious vinyl and digital collection.

His broadcasting career began in 1979 at Downtown Radio, then the BBC — including Radio 1 and Radio Ulster — before leading BBC NI’s New Media team. Since “retirement,” he’s kept busy producing syndicated radio, contributing to global music charts and jetting off to music conferences across Europe.

Find out more at davysims.com.

Get to know Davy

• When do you pack for holiday? Starts thinking months in advance, but packs properly 3 days before — with weighing sessions.
• In the fridge: The basics. In the freezer? Who knows — apart from the missing ice cream.
• Movie star alter-ego: Brian Cox (because Holywood deserves Hollywood).
• Biography title: Sound
• Most bizarre experience: Peter Gabriel turning up unannounced and sitting at his desk at Radio 1.
• Most embarrassing moment: Also Peter Gabriel. Same moment. Still recovering.
• Dream app: Something that gives you proper privacy.
• Spotify shame: No shame — though he’s more of an iTunes guy. Username: “davysims”.
• TV guilty pleasure: The Young Montalbano
• When he's not on Essential Radio: Listening for the World Music Charts, travelling to music events across Europe and spending time in Slovenia whenever he can.

Big Tommy

Big Tommy (Tommy Martin) brings the party every Saturday with his legendary Saturday Music Marathon and Big Fat Party Anthems. Expect full-on throwbacks, megamixes and a bingo ball or two.

He’s been behind the mic since the mid-2000s after years of DJing around Glasgow and Lanarkshire in the 80s and 90s. When he’s not playing your favourite 70s and 80s tunes, you’ll probably find him enjoying a well-earned Chinese takeaway or trying to convince the team that Emmerdale is quality telly.

Get to know Big Tommy

• When do you pack for holiday? A day before – but he swears he’s not disorganised!
• In the fridge: A chilled bottle of Irn Bru – obviously.
• Movie star alter-ego: Mel Gibson (brave choice).
• Biography title: Confessions of a Fairground Worker
• Most bizarre experience: Getting 4 numbers up on the lottery – and telling everyone about it since.
• Most embarrassing moment: None. Not even one. Honest.
• Dream app: A solar-powered one – eco vibes!
• Spotify shame: “Let me think about that...”
• TV guilty pleasure: Emmerdale (don’t judge).
• When he's not on Essential Radio: Chilling out with good music and great food.

Jan Gow

Jan presents The JanCave Jukebox Years — a one-hour nostalgic celebration of 70s pop culture, music and memories. Each episode takes a trip through a single year of the decade, featuring personal favourites, artist stories and the odd vintage TV clip for good measure.

Born in 1964 (she insists we include that), Jan brings her cheeky humour, deep affection for 70s music and photographic flair to the show. She’s also a professional photographer and, in her words, “handy with an airbrush” — though it’s mostly just great lighting and even better vibes.

Broadcast on over a dozen stations — including Saturdays at 5pm on Essential Radio — The JanCave Jukebox Years is where retro reigns supreme.

Get to know Jan

• Favourite musical decade: The 70s — loud, colourful and full of character.
• Best compliment received: “You don’t look old enough to remember the 70s!”
• Fun fact: She still owns every vinyl record she ever bought (and alphabetised them last lockdown).
• Most likely to say: “You should’ve gone to Specsavers.”
• When she's not on Essential Radio: Taking photos, digging through retro playlists and wondering why she didn’t keep more 70s flares.

Spencer James

Spencer James is the host of Airplay40 — the weekly chart show compiled from airplay on over 250 English-speaking radio stations worldwide. It’s the Top 40 countdown that reflects the songs you’re really listening to right now, plus the latest showbiz news from Radio News Hub.

With nearly 30 years in media and over two decades on air, Spencer has worked across UK and international radio — from breakfast and drive shows in the South East of England, to running stations abroad and even flying above London and Essex as part of AA Roadwatch’s “flying eyes.” In 2008 he created a chart show for expat audiences which grew into today’s Airplay40.

Broadcast every week on Essential Radio, Airplay40 is your connection to what’s hot (and what’s not) in the world of music.

Get to know Spencer

• Started in radio: While studying Film & TV at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
• Previous roles: Presenter, Programme Manager, Promotions Manager, travel reporter… and briefly a film assistant director.
• Claim to fame: One of his short films was BAFTA-nominated.
• Biggest idea: Launching what became Airplay40 — now heard worldwide.
• When he’s not on air: Supporting England rugby, losing golf balls, or experimenting in the kitchen with mixed results.

Dr Hilary Jones

Dr Hilary Jones is one of the UK’s most trusted health voices — and now hosts The Dr Hilary Show, a weekly podcast and radio series exploring health, hope and happiness through real-life stories, expert advice and candid conversation.

Whether it’s men’s mental health, chronic illness, fitness, grief, or breaking down medical myths, the show mixes heartfelt interviews with science-backed insight. Guests have included sports surgeons, Strictly contestants, musicians, grief coaches and patients fighting rare diseases — all brought together by Hilary’s calm, compassionate style.

Listeners are also invited to send in their own questions for his Ask Dr Hilary segment, where he shares practical advice on everything from sleep and diet to anxiety and everyday wellbeing. It’s about empowerment, education — and making good health feel achievable.

Get to know Dr Hilary

• Started in TV: Over 30 years ago — and still going strong.
• Favourite topic: When medicine meets the human story.
• Signature question: “How are you, really?”
• When he's not on air: Writing, walking, or quietly refusing to endorse miracle face creams on Facebook.
• Ask Dr Hilary: Email Ask@drhilaryjones.com to have your health questions answered on the show.

Tim Graham

Tim hosts the weekly LGBTQ Music Chart Radio Show — a global celebration of LGBTQ music, voices and talent. Syndicated across multiple stations and growing fast, the show champions chart-topping anthems and brand-new discoveries from LGBTQ artists around the world.

Each Saturday, Tim counts down the top tracks, shares new releases from Outed On Friday and keeps listeners connected to the pulse of the LGBTQ+ music scene. Whether you’re discovering your next queer anthem or reliving a favourite, this show brings community, colour and creativity to the airwaves.

Catch the show Sundays at 6pm on Essential Radio, or visit lgbtqmusicchart.uk to explore the full chart and voting schedule.

Get to know Tim

• What drives the show: Elevating LGBTQ+ voices through the power of music.
• Favourite part of the job: Watching queer artists climb the chart and find new fans every week.
• Most played artist lately: Always changing – but there’s a soft spot for Rhian!, Asbjørn and Robert O’Connor.
• Guilty pleasure: Tallying the votes like it's Eurovision.
• When he's not on air: Updating the chart, scouting new releases and supporting LGBTQ music from behind the scenes.

Stephen Howie

Stephen brings the soul with Grooveline — a genre-hopping celebration of classic and modern soul, jazz-funk, acid jazz and more. Broadcasting since 1998, his show has reached audiences in the UK, Europe, Africa and beyond.

With guests like Bluey from Incognito and DJ legend John Morales, Grooveline is recorded at his base in London and packed with groove to move you — every single week.

Get to know Stephen

• When do you pack for holiday? The night before, no matter what. Half an hour tops.
• In the fridge: Half-used jars, milk and herbs clinging to life.
• Movie star alter-ego: Gerard Butler (obviously).
• Biography title: The Soulful Scotsman
• Most bizarre experience: Detained and questioned as a suspected spy in Naxçıvan.
• Most embarrassing moment: Tripping across the floor at karaoke just before singing “What Is Love?”.
• Dream app: 24/7 hash brown delivery. Essential.
• Spotify shame: None – but brace yourself for a perty.
• TV guilty pleasure: EastEnders. Every single episode from 1985 to now (with a couple of gaps).
• When he's not on Essential Radio: Far, far too much. Probably still not sitting still.

Bill Grainger

Bill Grainger was a legend of the Scottish club scene and the driving force behind The Hi-NRG Show on Essential Radio — two hours of classic floorfillers, 12-inch anthems and high-energy club culture, broadcast every Sunday from midnight.

From his early days DJing at Edinburgh’s legendary Fire Island nightclub to guest spots on Radio Clyde and running Clubscene Records, Bill helped define the Scottish HI-NRG and dance landscape through the 70s, 80s and beyond. He promoted acts, launched magazines and gave a platform to artists long before the mainstream caught on.

Bill's encyclopaedic knowledge and infectious passion for dance music made every show feel like a trip back to the golden age of clubbing — bold, bright and bursting with energy. His legacy lives on through the music, the memories and every beat he ever dropped.

Get to know Bill

• Favourite genre: Pure HI-NRG — unapologetically loud, proud and powerful.
• Scene roots: Fire Island, Princes Street. A dancefloor institution.
• Industry impact: Founder of Clubscene Records, promoter, tastemaker, radio icon.
• On Essential Radio: His Hi-NRG Show kept the spirit of the clubs alive every weekend.
• Legacy: A pioneer who shaped Scotland’s dance culture with passion and pride.

Kevin McCallum

Kevin is the voice of The Mr Rocks Show — a weekly two-hour journey through classic and contemporary heavy rock. From Led Zeppelin to Scarlet Rebels, it’s a personal playlist shaped by over 45 years of gig-going, reviewing and loving loud guitars.

The show brings together timeless rock anthems and fresh new discoveries, along with artist interviews and gig highlights from Kevin’s extensive experience in the rock scene. His passion is infectious and his knowledge runs deep — from ACDC at the Apollo in 1980 to Dirty Honey in 2022, he's lived it.

Kevin launched his first show in 2020 and now records from home, sending out the Mr Rocks Show to a growing network of stations — all fuelled by a lifelong obsession with powerful music and the stories behind it.

Get to know Kevin

• When do you pack for holiday? A week before — organised rocker.
• In the fridge: Grapes, milk, cheese — and probably more cheese.
• Movie star alter-ego: Al Pacino (or Jack Nicholson if he’s busy).
• Biography title: Who?
• Most bizarre experience: Wine and cheese with Mick Ralphs, talking through the making of “Feel Like Making Love”.
• Most embarrassing moment: Helping everyone else get their passports sorted… then realising he’d forgotten his own.
• Dream app: One that automatically cuts your grass. Please.
• Spotify shame: Hook it up — no problem!
• TV guilty pleasure: Dickinson’s Real Deal
• When he's not on Essential Radio: Family time, live gigs, reviewing new rock releases and summer cricket.

Emma Scott

Emma Scott is the force behind The Pluggin’ Baby Radio Show — a two-hour blast of guitar-driven music that celebrates the best in independent rock alongside tracks from icons like Foo Fighters, Green Day, Paramore and Muse (her ultimate fave).

Launched in 2022, the show features exclusive interviews, acoustic sessions and fresh new talent from around the world. It’s where future festival headliners meet seasoned legends — and Emma’s passion for powerful music shines through every week.

A true radio veteran, Emma’s voice is already familiar to listeners of Kerrang! Radio, Metro FM, Power FM, Galaxy, Heart and more. Her decades in the industry have been spent championing new music with unmatched energy and heart.

Don’t miss her weekly feature Killer Cover, where rock bands take on pop classics — and you can even suggest your own via radioshow@plugginbaby.com.

Get to know Emma

• Started in radio: 1988 – and hasn’t stopped rocking since.
• Show named after: A Muse song. Of course.
• What to expect: Guitars, guts, energy and Emma’s unmistakable passion.
• When she’s not on air: She’s probably discovering your new favourite band.
• Catch the show: Weekly on Essential Radio and stations across the UK.

Dave Watkins

Dave presents The Country Mile — a weekly show packed with real, authentic country music. From honky tonk and bluegrass to outlaw and Ameripolitan, it’s a handpicked selection of brand new tracks from across the genre.

Broadcast from his home studio in Devon and now syndicated worldwide, the show has grown steadily since launching in 2017. Country fans can catch up via hearthis.at/thecountrymile or find more at facebook.com/thecountrymile.

Get to know Dave

• When do you pack for holiday? Usually a couple of days before – if he ever gets the chance!
• In the fridge: Milk, cheese, bacon… and a few cans of cloudy cider.
• Movie star alter-ego: Someone charming, funny and far too good-looking.
• Biography title: OK At Radio, Bad At Jokes
• Most bizarre experience: Interviewing Bruce Watson… then Jimmy Tarbuck. Very different vibes.
• Most embarrassing moment: His entire teenage fashion phase.
• Dream app: One that secretly doubles his wages.
• Spotify shame: “I’ve got awesome taste — plug it in!”
• TV guilty pleasure: Accidentally getting into 90 Day Fiancé.
• When he's not on Essential Radio: Working for the NHS, walking on Dartmoor, or spending time with family and music.

Brian Woolfson

Woolfy is the man behind Retro Charts — Essential Radio’s weekly dose of classic UK Top 20s. Whether it’s the glitter of the 70s, synths of the 80s, heartbreak of the 90s or pop chaos of the 00s, Woolfy delivers the facts, the flops, the trivia and the tunes you forgot you loved.

With over 20 years of radio under his belt (Q96, Real Radio, Clyde 1, Central FM, Nation Radio Scotland and more), he’s a walking chart archive with a habit of remembering peak positions from 1989 better than where he left his keys.

Woolfy’s countdowns are packed with pop nostalgia, artist stories and masses of chart stats. If you love the UK charts, you’ll love this show — even if you still think “Reef – Place Your Hands” was a Number 1 (spoiler: it wasn’t).

Get to know Woolfy

• When do you pack for holiday? Either a fortnight early… or during the Uber ride.
• In the fridge: Out-of-date condiments and a lot of fizzy water pretending to be healthy.
• Movie star alter-ego: George Clooney. It came up in a quiz once and he’s stuck with it.
• Biography title: Thanks for Listening – he says it after every show, and he means it (mostly).
• Most bizarre experience: Being forced to drink “venoms” at the Savoy in Glasgow by a radio colleague. Never again.
• Most embarrassing moment: Saying the wrong station name live on his first show. Ask any Scottish radio presenter.
• Dream app: One that names obscure celebs on TV shows. Looking at you, Celebrity Mastermind.
• Spotify shame: “Turtle Power”, “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny...” and Anita Dobson's EastEnders single. All for research. Honest.
• TV guilty pleasure: Coronation Street. Apparently he’s part Roy, part Brian, part Norris. No further questions.
• When he's not on air: Teaching, compiling charts, curating his Now That’s What I Call Music collection, or correcting your chart trivia on X.

Keelin McKenna

Presenter

Bio coming soon.

Holly Nelson

Presenter

Bio coming soon.

Meet the Essential Radio Presenters

Paul Woodland

Essential Breakfast

Bex McNamee

Feelgood Lunch & The Midweek Mash-Up

Scott O'Hare

Essential Hometime

Keelin McKenna

Feelgood Lunch

Holly Nelson

Feelgood Lunch

Faith Montgomery

Feelgood Lunch

David Southway

Soul Vaults

Lee Everest

Ready for the Weekend

Ronny Costello

Club Classics

Davy Sims

Around the World

Big Tommy

Saturday Music Marathon & Party Anthems

Jan Gow

70s Jukebox

Tim Graham

LGBTQ Music Chart

Stephen Howie

Grooveline

Bill Grainger

Fire Island Hi-NRG

Kevin McCallum

Mr Rocks Show

Emma Scott

Pluggin' Baby Radio Show

Dave Watkins

The Country Mile

Spencer James

Airplay40

Dr Hilary Jones

The Dr Hilary Show

Brian Woolfson

Retro Charts