Virgin Radio launches a dedicated station for the LGBT community with hosts including RuPaul Drag Race star and BBC Radio presenter who came out as non-binary live on air
- Virgin Radio Pride UK will be broadcast from June 7 until the end of September
- It will address issues such as trans-rights, gay adoption and helping parents
- The hosts will be joined in conversation by guest contributors, Virgin revealed
- Presenters include Matt Cain, Emma Goswell, Debbie Ryan and Phil Clifton
Virgin Radio will launch an LGBT station to run during the summer, the station has revealed.
The station, called Pride UK, will broadcast from June 7 until the end of September and focus on issues including trans-rights, gay adoption, living with HIV and helping parents understand LGBT subjects.
The line up of presenters includes Tia Kofi, a former RuPaul Drag Race UK star, and Shivani Dave, who came out as non-binary live on-air during a pride special on BBC Radio Wiltshire.
The hosts will be joined by celebrity guest contributors and will partner with Pride marches across the nation, as well as LGBT organisations.
Other presenters include LGBTQ+ Radio DJs Vicki Blight, Phil Clifton, Stephen Sullivan, Debbie Ryan and Emma Goswell as well as renowned journalist and writer Matt Cain – who previously worked as Editor-in-Chief of Attitude, the UK’s biggest-selling magazine for gay men.
The line up of presenters includes Tia Kofi (left), a former RuPaul Drag Race UK star, and Shivani Dave (right), who came out as non-binary live on-air during a pride special on BBC Radio Wiltshire
The station, called Pride UK, will broadcast from June 7 until the end of September. Pictured, a giant rainbow flag at the annual London Pride Parade in London, Britain, 07 July 2018
Programming includes documentaries on being bisexual in 2021, how the LGBT community shapes dance music and a weekly magazine show from Cain titled The Sunday Roast.
Virgin Radio Pride UK will largely play pop-dance and pop-R&B from the last 20 years, the broadcaster said.
Drag queen Kofi said: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the launch for this incredible new LGBTQ+ station.
‘We have created something made by queer people for queer people and beyond, and it’s going to be amazing.
Other presenters include LGBTQ+ Radio DJs Vicki Blight, Phil Clifton and Emma Goswell as well as renowned journalist and writer Matt Cain (pictured) – who previously worked as Editor-in-Chief of Attitude, the UK’s biggest-selling magazine for gay men
‘Get ready for the ultimate Friday night pre-party with me, as well as some sensational content from across the LGBTQ+ community.’
After the announcement was made, Cain took to Twitter to celebrate. He said: ‘I have EXCITING NEWS! I’m joining #VirginRadioPride to present the station’s flagship discussion show! Think of it as Loose Women for queer people – chatting through all kinds of issues that affect the LGBT+ community. And I can’t wait to get cracking.’
You can listen to Virgin Radio Pride UK from June 7 on DAB in London, online or via the Virgin Radio app.
Who are Virgin Radio UK Pride UK’s presenters?
Tia Kofi
Lawrence Bolton, known by the stage name Tia Kofi, is a British drag queen from Clapham, South London. They are best known for competing on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Lawrence Bolton, known by the stage name Tia Kofi
Emma Goswell
Renowned radio presenter Emma Goswell presented the breakfast show on Gaydio- the worlds biggest LGBT radio station for five years between 2013 and 2018.
Renowned radio presenter Emma Goswell
Phil Clifton
A British television and Sony nominated radio presenter, Phil Clifton has appeared on MTV, Radio X and formerly Channel 4.
Phil Clifton has appeared on MTV
Vicki Blight
Plymouth-born Vicki Blight has presented shows on Heart 106, a regional radio station broadcast to the East Midlands, Absolute Radio, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio Wales.
Plymouth-born Vicki Blight
Matt Cain
Writer Matt Cain worked as Editor-in-Chief of Attitude, the UK’s best-selling magazine for gay men between 2016 and 2018. He is also an ambassador for Manchester Pride and the Albert Kennedy Trust, the UK’s national youth LGBT+ homelessness charity.
Between 2016 and 2018 Matt worked as Editor-in-Chief of Attitude, the UK’s biggest-selling magazine for gay men.
Matt Cain worked as Editor-in-Chief of Attitude
Debbie Ryan
Debbie Ryan worked with co-presenter Neil Sexton under the name NDebz on Gaydio hosting on a Saturday morning slot. The Guardian described the duo as ‘very successfully taking on the mainstream breakfast shows with their largely reactionary chatter’.
Debbie Ryan worked with Neil Sexton
Shivani Dave
BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Shivani Dave used their platform to come out as non-binary live on-air last year. ‘I don’t identify with being a man or woman. I’m sort of outside those two options – I’m just a person,’ they said.
Presenter Shivani Dave
Stephen Sullivan
Clubs entertainment manager Stephen Sullivan previously hosted a number of Heart radio shows, often acting as a stand in for other DJs while balancing his promoter work.
Stephen Sullivan