Virgin Radio Pride to return to airwaves for third summer season

Virgin Radio

30 May 2023, 11:54

Virgin Radio has announced that the award-winning pop up radio station, Virgin Radio Pride UK, is returning to the airwaves for its third season on 1st June.

Back by popular demand, Virgin Radio Pride UK will broadcast a schedule jam-packed with the best pop-dance and pop-R&B music from the last twenty years, plus all the biggest talking points from the community in one big celebration of LGBTQ+ culture.  

Returning to the station to present throughout the summer are Chris Evans, Graham Norton, Steve Denyer, Phil Clifton,  Alex Milsom, Shivani Dave, Emma Goswell, Debbie Ryan, Stephen Sullivan, Matt Horton, Felix Rackow and Olivia Jones. New additions joining the team this summer are one-half of The Gossip Gays podcast, Billy Andrew, Alex Woolhouse, Graeme Smith, and Lewis Oakley. 

The weekly feature Big Conversations returns to the station this year, with the team tackling many issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, including Body Image, Parenting, Sexual Health, The Importance of Local Prides, LGBTQ+ Education in Schools, and The Effects of Being Outed in 2023.

Fresh from a sweep of nominations and awards at the New York Awards and the Audio and Radio Industry Awards, Virgin Radio Pride UK’s insightful documentaries are a vital part of this summer’s programming. This year some of the documentary specials include The life and legacy of George Michael, an hour-long special delving into the life of George Michael and his influence on LGBTQ+ culture, and Neurodiversity In LGBTQ+ Community.

In addition, the station will show What The Pox?, a programme mythbusting around mpox and looking at the handling of the epidemic. The What's Wrong With My Body? documentary will reveal the gruelling gym schedules, strict diets and mental health issues consuming more and more of the LGBTQ+ community. And finally, Only Gay in The Village will offer a poignant and heartwarming portrayal of LGBT individuals who have experienced being the sole gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person in their respective villages. 

Speaking on The Graham Norton Radio Show earlier this month, author and Virgin Radio Pride presenter Matt Cain explained what listeners can hear when they tune in from Wednesday. 

He shared: “It’s going to be even better than ever. We’ve got documentaries about George Michael, LGBTQ+ body image, growing up queer in rural areas. We’re going to have weekly Big Conversations on all the issues that are affecting queer people now. 

“I’m coming back for a completely new show this year which I’m very excited about. This year I’m going to be presenting a show with my husband. It’s going to have a special focus on relationships because they’re so important to everybody, whether it's romantic relationships, relationships with family, friendships, relationships at work and I do think with queer people we're given a bit more freedom to deviate from the template and form new and unique relationships."

Virgin Radio Presenter, Alex Milsom said in a statement: “I’m so happy to be back on-air on Virgin Radio Pride, a station that I know means so much to so many people. We have achieved so much and had so many important conversations over the last two years and I can’t wait to see what we’ll get up to in 2023.”

Virgin Radio Presenter, Shivani Dave added: "I’m so excited to be a part of the return of Virgin Radio Pride UK. The station has brought so much joy to the LGBTQ+ community and tackles complex issues that affect us. As reports of homophobia and transphobia are rising in the UK, this space is increasingly important as a source of comfort. I’m honoured to be a part of it and be a voice of our community, for our community."

Virgin Radio Pride UK will be broadcast from 1st June to 31st August. Listen to Virgin Radio Pride UK online, via the Virgin Radio app or via DAB Digital radio in London and Scotland. You can also catch the Virgin Radio Pridecast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever else you get your podcasts.