Jonathan Miles
Starting as a hospital radio disc jockey in 1976 – crikey, that’s 42 years years ago – I then got the chance to work as a junior studio technician for London’s Capital Radio.
Because of the legends I worked with – Graham Dene, Dave Cash, Roger Scott, David Jensen, and Kenny Everett – I decided that I wanted to do what they did so well, for a living.
Shortly after, I became the warm up boy for Capital’s outside broadcasts and gigs before being given the chance to present the early show.
After 10 years at Capital, I left to move to Germany to work for the British forces broadcaster BFBS, where I hosted the breakfast show. From there, I moved to Key 103 in Manchester, Hallam FM in Sheffield and then to the legendary Radio Luxembourg.
Sadly after almost 60 years on the air, ‘The Great 208’ – closed in 1992. I was part of the team that helped say the final goodbye. There were tears THAT night!
Returning to the UK, I joined GWR in the West Country before an opportunity arose to move back to one of my favourite stomping grounds, Manchester.
In 1998, a chance meeting with an Arab sheikh led to an offer I couldn’t refuse in Dubai, which even then, was a burgeoning playground for the rich and famous. I hosted the afternoon drive show on Channel 4FM for three years, until a chance to rejoin the newly expanded Capital Radio group came my way, at Invicta FM in Kent.
BBC Newcastle approached me in 2007 to present their mid morning show, where I stayed for nearly eight years, covering every newsworthy topic and interviewing every big name that visited the region. Former MP Claire Short even described me as David Frost-esque!
Throughout my career, people have always said: ‘You never quite know what he’s going to say next,’ which I’ve always taken as a compliment, even though they may not have always meant it.
Radio right now needs a revolution, the big brands have made it dull, political correctness has made it too safe. It’s time to bring the fun back!
Jonathan Miles shows
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