If you’re wondering where I’ve been, the short answer is: everywhere.
It’s been such a jam-packed few months that finding time to sit down and write this has taken far longer than I’d like. But now that I’ve finally come up for air, let me catch you up on what’s been happening with me and the amazing team at Express FM.
Let’s rewind to the end of last year. One of the biggest highlights? Express FM being nominated for Station of the Year at the Community Radio Awards. That alone felt surreal. Being named one of the top six community radio stations in the entire UK – just wow. The team and I had a brilliant night in Cardiff, celebrating all the incredible work happening in community radio.
Huge congratulations to ALL FM for taking home the trophy - but for us, just being there meant the world. Earlier in the day, I had the honour of speaking on a panel about community engagement through radio at the UK Community Radio Network conference - a topic I’m endlessly passionate about - and later, presenting the prestigious Young Person of the Year award. An inspiring day from start to finish.
In December, I dusted off the DJ decks and returned to the booth for Festive Bangers at Portsmouth On Ice in Guildhall Square - a night full of cheesy hits, good vibes, and icy dance moves. It was great fun being back on the decks after a few years out!
Great night on the decks at Portsmouth On Ice for ‘Festive Bangers’ - plus, briefly on the ice with my girlfriend and a couple of esteemed @expressfm.com colleagues afterwards! ⛸️🎄 📸 Rosalind Lane
— Harrison RB (@harrisonrb.com) December 23, 2024 at 2:32 AM
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Christmas Day brought even more excitement. George Sampson and Lorraine Stanley - stars of the Kings Theatre Pompey Panto - joined us for a very special show that morning. They brought so much energy and festive cheer to the airwaves. Proper Christmas magic.
This year’s also been full of new beginnings. We launched a brand new show in partnership with Pompey History Society all about the rich history of PFC, brilliantly hosted by former BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Richard Atkins-Greig. And our Express Pride programme got a glow-up - now a two-hour Saturday night show co-hosted by the Co-Chair of Portsmouth Pride.
April saw me co-present a special World Autism Awareness Day programme alongside the brilliant Charlotte Faulconbridge - an autistic author and member of Pompey Poetry Party. We were joined by some incredibly powerful voices, including Flo and Murray from the award-winning Inside Our Autistic Minds documentary, and Cheryl from Autism Hampshire..
Later that month, Express FM went backstage at the Portsmouth Music Awards, the city’s first-ever black tie celebration of its vibrant music scene. I was honoured to present the very first Pop Act of the Year award - what a night that was!
We also marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day with an emotional and poignant collaboration with Pompey Poetry Party. Its members shared beautiful original works that paid tribute to a generation of bravery and sacrifice.
Then came the biggest surprise of all: Express FM was nominated for John Myers Local Radio Station of the Year at the ARIAS – or, as they’re affectionately known, the “Radio Oscars.”
We were the only community station nominated, up against three BBC heavyweights and the heritage commercial giants Clyde 1 and Forth 1. Forth took the win (and deservedly so), but to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the biggest names in the industry? Unreal. Genuinely one of the proudest moments of my career.
So yes - it’s been non-stop. But in the best way possible.
I’m endlessly proud of the work we’ve been doing, the voices we’ve platformed, and the stories we’ve told. If the past few months have shown me anything, it’s that radio - especially community radio - is alive and kicking.
Who knows what the second half of 2025 will bring...!
