Salford student makes history as new presenter for BBC Radio 1

BA Television and Radio Production student Matt Hallsworth will present a run of shows for the national station’s spin-off stream Radio 1 Anthems.

The 20-year-old becomes the first ever Salford student to sign a contract with the station whilst studying and is now part of our ever expanding lineup of alumni that have become presenters at the station including Vicky Hawkesworth and Katie Thistleton.

Matt, who is a multiple award winner and current Head of Radio at one of the University’s student stations, Shock Radio, was one of the national station’s Christmas Presenters in December last year. He won the coveted slot after being crowned winner of the Best Presenter Award at last year’s Student Radio Awards and was the youngest out of the 27 that took to the airwaves.

His run of shows will start on Wednesday 2 April at 8am with 16 programmes airing over the month in total.

Matt said: “I am so excited to be joining the BBC Radio 1 Anthems family across April! Since the stream’s launch in October, it’s been evident the BBC are using it as a platform to nurture new presenters, and I feel thrilled to be able to join that. I was working on some university assignment work in January when I got the text and call from Aled [Hayden Jones, Head of Station at BBC Radio 1], with feedback from my Christmas show and offering the opportunity.

“The shows have the best playlists, full of songs that I grew up with, forgot about, and play anyway. I can’t wait for people to hear them.”

Louise Ready-Syrat, Programme Leader for BA TV and Radio Production, said: “I am hugely proud and pleased for Matt, he is such a lovely person and a huge talent that will be amazing in every capacity. Watching his development over his time with us on the BA Television and Radio Production course has been a privilege and a real inspiration to his fellow students.

“Always quick to help out on our Open Days, award shows and as Head of Shock Radio, he has proven himself to be a true professional and a genuinely great guy! Super pleased for him, he will smash this!”

Gary Morrisroe, Lecturer in TV and Radio Production, said: "Matt has been an outstanding student on the BA in TV & Radio Production programme - as well as Head of Shock Radio - and it was no surprise when, in December 2024, Matt successfully secured a coveted slot on the national station, BBC Radio 1 as part of its Christmas Takeover initiative (pipping to the post thousands of other young presenters across the UK who applied). Clearly the BBC know a good thing when they hear it and to see that he is now presenting the Anthems show on BBC Radio 1 is just fantastic. 

"BBC Radio 1 is one of the biggest radio stations in the world and to acquire a paid presenter contract with them in advance of graduation is an extraordinary achievement.  He's such a nice guy, too - and this comes across in his presenting.  Industrious and sincere, always supportive of fellow students, Matt is a highly talented radio practitioner and ambassador for the university - and now a national broadcaster. Well done, Matt!"

Lyndon Saunders, Senior Lecturer and Subject Group Head for Broadcast Media, said: “As soon as we heard Matt take to the student airwaves at Salford, we knew he would be snapped up by somebody big before too long. It’s just amazing to discover that he’s going national on BBC Radio 1.

“He is so hard-working, so determined, but so humble about his on air talent. I’ve worked with Matt in a producer capacity too and he has an incredible work ethic, with a gift for the journalism and storytelling side of radio too. In short, radio is in his veins and we’re thrilled he is making his dream a reality.”

The achievement follows a momentous period for Matt. Last year, in addition to his Best Presenter win, he collected the Gold Award for Best Chart Show at the Student Radio Awards with his on-air partner and fellow student Issy Brand, and also earned the title of Best On-Air Team for the second year in a row in the International Student Broadcasting Championship. 

Since August 2024, he has also worked as a freelance presenter for Hits Radio, working across a variety of shows for their networks and is the lead host officer for The Student Radio Association’s annual conference in Salford this March.