Let’s talk radio: Alumni making waves on the airwaves
To celebrate World Radio Day (13 February), we switched places with radio stars from our alumni community and put them in the hot seat. Read on to hear from BBC Radio 1 presenter Emil Franchi and KISS Breakfast producer Jade Pearson.
13 February 2026
Turn it up! Chatting with the Newcastle graduates Ga Ga for radio this World Radio Day
We sat down with History graduate Emil Franchi and Music graduate Jade Pearson to chat all things radio: from starting their career with student radio on campus to being involved in some of the nation’s biggest and most beloved broadcasts. Plus, given the theme of this year’s World Radio Day, we asked the pair their thoughts on how AI could change their industry.
My calling in life
North East native Emil Franchi (BA Hons History, 2014) first caught the radio bug during Freshers’ Week, signing up to join Newcastle Student Radio (NSR) on his second day on campus. Fast forward 15 years, Emil is a regular on BBC Radio 1and presenter for Newcastle United fan media.
“I think our first show went out to an audience of zero because the server was down,” laughs Emil fondly. “But in the months that went by, we really got into it. And I started to realise that this was something that I loved. I think that my calling in life was always going to be something which I was performing in, whether it was radio, on stage… anything where I didn't have my head buried in a book!”
Emil threw himself into extracurricular activities during his time at Newcastle, progressing from presenter to Head of Programming and Production at NSR and performing at the Edinburgh Fringe with the Theatre Society. It was during his time as Head of Programming that Newcastle was successful in hosting the Student Radio Conference, welcoming the likes of Scott Mills and Greg James to campus.
“That was a huge achievement for us,” Emil says. “I've just got lots of great memories of university.”
It was also during his time on campus that Emil got involved with hospital radio, which led to his first job after graduating. He said:
“That’s the one bit of advice I’d offer anyone considering a career in radio. You won't go from student radio straight into a big role – unless you’re Greg James! - so don't be too proud to go and do hospital radio, voluntary radio, community radio. You’ve got to put the miles in.”
Putting the miles in
That’s exactly what Emil has done over the past decade. From presenting overnights on the UTV Network in Stoke-on-Trent as a new graduate, to drive-time at Heart North East, Emil got his national big break in 2022 with BBC Radio 1, covering the Friday Early Breakfast Show.
Since then, Emil has stepped in to cover the Official Chart and Going Home Show on the channel, as well as joining the team at Absolute Radio. He’s interviewed Hollywood A-listers on the red carpet – as well as Premier League footballers on the black and white carpet through his coverage of Newcastle United! What has remained throughout this journey, though, is Emil’s love for the close relationship you foster with listeners (whether it’s 30 on campus or thousands around the country). He said:
“It doesn't matter how many people are listening. With radio you can invite people into your life. I think that was really demonstrated through the pandemic, the fact that a lot of people turned to radio. It meant that there was always someone there at the other end.
“When you are presenting on TV you’ll start with ‘hello everybody’, but with radio it’s just me and you. And that’s what I love.”
While Emil has seen the industry shrink over the past decade and opportunities become scarcer, there are still plenty of ways people can kickstart their media career.
“You have to be ready for those kicks,” he told us. “But if you show resolve and are open, you’ll find a way. Maybe instead of presenting, your skills and ideas could be put into other areas like production or marketing. And whereas radio has got smaller, podcasting has got massive in the last ten years.”
We obviously have to be careful with AI. We see the good and the bad and it's very hard to stop what's already started. It certainly can take some of the work out of perhaps production stuff, but I still think that human is best on radio.
The importance of human connection
The theme for this year’s World Radio Day is ‘Radio and Artificial Intelligence’. So, what does Emil think of using ChatGPT as a radio presenter?
“I think anyone who needs to use AI for what they want to say on the radio, that's not a great start,” he laughs. “If you've not got anything to say, then radio probably isn't for you.”
“We obviously have to be careful with AI. We see the good, and we see the bad and It's very hard to stop what's already started. It certainly can take some of the work out of perhaps making production stuff, but I still think that human is best on radio.”
Fellow graduate Jade Pearson (BA Contemporary and Popular Music, 2020) agrees that AI could never replace the role of a radio host: “that human connection is what brings listeners in.” But as the Producer of the KISS Breakfast Show with Jordan and Perri, Jade has seen how AI can be helpful behind the scenes. She told us:
“It’s so helpful for research, learning listener habits, collating data from the industry movements as a whole, or getting the “mood of a nation” sign-posted. Someone once told me that in creative industries, AI is best used for the analytical and organisational side of the brain, so that your energy is freed up to use the creative side of the brain.
“AI is great for thought-starters, but producers still have to use human judgement on which creative paths are best explored, and with the context of knowing our presenters on a personal level.”
A lifelong love
Like Emil, Jade first dipped her toes into the radio industry during her student days. Having tried out presenting with Newcastle Student Radio initially, she realised that she much preferred being off-mic. She instead became Head of Production and quickly felt like she had found her people, not looking back since! Speaking of her time with NSR, Jade said:
“Just before I left uni, NSR hosted the SRA chart show and I worked on the team to produce my first ever radio piece. It included a timed treasure hunt around the university, which involved buying stotties and getting strangers on the street to do the Shearer chant. Our socials were such a laugh, and the people I met gave me the confidence to launch my radio career.”
Jade grew up listening to the radio and fell in love with music, so much so it’s what she studied on campus. During our conversation, Jade fondly recollects supporting fellow students at DJ nights in the city, and performances at Bar Loco and in King’s Hall on campus. Thinking about why radio means so much to her, Jade told us:
“There’s a strong sense of familiarity in hearing the same voices every day and an excitement for unexpected fun. It felt like a place without judgement, and a world where adults can always have fun, while appreciating music at its core.
“Now that I’m working within the industry, I am closer than ever to seeing how radio impacts people. I hear what our listeners are dealing with or how much graft they put in every day, with the radio soundtracking their lives to provide a sense of ease and escapism from daily worries. It’s a place that makes you feel at home, even if you’re feeling a bit lost.”
There’s a strong sense of familiarity in hearing the same voices every day and an excitement for unexpected fun. It felt like a place without judgement, and a world where adults can always have fun, while appreciating music at its core.
Tune in!
Jade is at an exciting time in her career, having been named in Radio Academy’s 30 under 30 list and promoted to Producer of KISS Breakfast just four years after graduating. Her closing remarks were to offer sage advice to current students and recent graduates also looking to make it on the airwaves:
“If radio is where you want to be - listen to radio every single day! Even in a world where stations have to prioritise social media, the 24 hours a day output is always the main focus. Figure out what stations you like, or dislike, and why; a genuine passion is what will make you interesting to employers.
“Also, keep a project going. If your time at student radio has come to an end, start something else. Whether it’s at a community station or just a podcast in your bedroom, it is so helpful (and fun) to have an audio-based project going.”
Do you have news to share with our alumni community?
Get in touch and share your latest news and achievements so we can let your fellow Newcastle alumni know!