A University of Salford graduate has bagged a presenting gig on BBC Radio 1 – after beating 1,100 other hopefuls

Priya Matharu, who studied Broadcast Journalism at the University, will host the Asian Beats show over Christmas. She’s one of 35 people who were handpicked by the station.

Radio 1 put out a call for ‘aspiring presenters’ to submit their demos in October. Hopefuls also had to fill out an application form and provide their social media details.

11 of the 35 presenters handpicked by Radio 1.
Credit: Radio 1

Priya explained she “still can’t believe” she’s got the chance to present on Radio 1.

She said: “I knew it was going to be a long shot to get something like this. As soon as I submitted my application, I just kind of forgot about it. I didn’t want to get my hopes up.”

Last month, Priya won silver in the Best Specialist Show category at the Student Radio Awards – a national competition aiming to recognise the best student talent. Priya was on her way back from the awards ceremony in London, when she got the call from Radio 1.

“I was on the train and I got a phone call from Aled Haydn Jones, head of programmes. I couldn’t believe it, honestly. I wasn’t with my family or friends, so I had to keep it in for two hours. I found myself bawling my eyes out on the train.

“I’m so grateful. It’s the biggest thing that’s happened to me.”

During her time at university, Priya was part of student station Shock Radio. For the last two years, she presented Asian music show Desi Beats. The show featured music from South-East Asia, as well as interviews with up-and-coming music artists and discussions on trending topics.

Priya also used social media to make her show interactive and to engage her audience.

She said: “I decided to do a show like this because it’s part of my culture and that’s the music I grew up on – and that I still enjoy listening to.

“I know a lot of other students who share the same culture as me and enjoy listening to that, too.”

Since graduating from Salford, she continued Desi Beats on Birmingham community station Switch Radio.

Alex Hughes was Shock Radio’s station manager last year. He said: “I can’t think of many other people who would deserve this more than Priya.

“She’s so determined and having listened to her on student radio, I just know that she’s going to smash it.”

You can hear Priya present Asian Beats on Radio 1 between 1am and 3am, on Sunday December 29. You’ll also be able to listen back on BBC Sounds.

Image Credit: BBC Radio 1

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