A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) graduate is waking up the airwaves as the Weekend Breakfast Show host on the newly launched STV Radio.
A seasoned radio presenter of over 20 years, Alan Edwards had previously decided to leave radio broadcasting behind focusing on his career as a Humanist Celebrant, before the opportunity to join the weekend presenter line up for STV radio came along.
Alan said: “I am hugely privileged to have become a part of the brand new STV Radio, hosting Weekend Breakfast between 6am and 9am on Saturdays and Sundays.”
“I left full time radio to focus on my career as a Humanist Wedding Celebrant,” continued Alan. “But out of the blue, this opportunity presented itself, and I simply couldn’t say no. Radio is in my blood. And this way, I can continue focusing on my new career whilst keeping my hand in doing what I love on the side.”
Studying an HND in Communication & Media Studies at the former Bell College (now UWS Lanarkshire) Alan graduated in 2002. He began his career in radio at Radio Clyde soon after, working first on the hugely successful football show Superscoreboard, rigging the equipment at stadiums for live commentaries, before becoming a studio producer.
“Bell College was a real fun time in my life. The lecturers were superb, particularly Ronnie Bergman who taught the radio element of my Communication course. He knew I was mad keen to get into the industry and would give me additional time in the studio to make additional programmes and promos, over and above the prescribed coursework. We’ve kept in touch since and he’s followed my career as it has progressed over the last two decades. The course definitely gave me a good grounding for what was to follow.”
Alan produced various shows on Radio Clyde including: Bowie at Breakfast; Clyde 1’s Late Call; and In:Demand Live, before switching sides of the microphone to become a presenter in 2006 on Clyde 2. He has gone on to present on the Greatest Hits Network of stations across Scotland and was most recently Head of Content and Breakfast Host at Central FM, leaving to become a full-time celebrant.
The national Scottish radio station, STV Radio, officially launched on Tuesday 6 January, with a schedule packed with Scotland’s favourite radio voices and an eclectic music offering with all the best tracks from the 80s, 90s and 2000s.
“STV Radio is an exciting prospect as Scotland’s first national commercial radio station. We have a phenomenal presenter line up, all of whom I’ve worked with before! Not to mention an exceptional mix of music the likes of which is not being played anywhere else,” added Alan.
In addition to his role at STV Radio, Alan has also recently begun training as a Freelance Announcer/Director at BBC Scotland at their Pacific Quay HQ in Glasgow. Keep an ear out for him between the shows on both BBC One Scotland and the digital BBC Scotland channel.
Find out about the BA (Hons) TV, Radio & Podcast Production degree at UWS.