Year: 2025

BBC Radio Cymru has confirmed that author Manon Steffan Ros will present its weekly arts programme on Sunday afternoons from the end of January.

She will take over the slot on BBC Radio Cymru from Sunday, 25 January, becoming the new voice of the station’s dedicated arts output.
The programme will continue to explore creativity across Wales, with a focus on contemporary arts, culture and the people shaping them, broadcast every Sunday afternoon on the Welsh language network.
Manon succeeds Ffion Dafis, who is stepping down from the programme as she moves into her new role as Artistic Director of Theatr Bara Caws. The change marks a new chapter for the long-running arts strand on the station.
Speaking about the appointment, Manon said it was a privilege to take on the role and described radio as an important part of her life and connection to Welsh culture. She said she was looking forward to presenting a programme centred on the arts and creative work she cares deeply about.
She also highlighted the role BBC Radio Cymru plays for Welsh speakers living in areas where the language is less widely spoken, describing the station as a vital cultural link for listeners across Wales and beyond.
BBC Radio Cymru Editor Dafydd Meredydd said Manon’s appointment was an exciting step for the station. He said her voice and perspective would bring a personal stamp to the programme while taking listeners across Wales to reflect on what creativity means today.
He also thanked Ffion for her contribution to the arts programme, praising her enthusiasm, passion and knowledge, and wished her well in her new role at Theatr Bara Caws.
Manon will begin presenting the programme at the end of January, continuing BBC Radio Cymru’s commitment to arts coverage and creative conversation on Welsh language radio.

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Liverpool Live is introducing a new show hosted by Dan Spelman focused on Liverpool artists and emerging local music.

Dan will present the Friday night programme from 7pm to 10pm.
Liverpool Live Radio said they were pleased to welcome him to the team, noting that his style and local knowledge fit well with the station’s direction and its focus on reflecting Liverpool’s creative scene.
Dan said he was looking forward to getting started and representing the city on air.
He said the station reflects what Liverpool is about and described the opportunity to showcase local artists as something he takes seriously, adding that he hopes to build on what the station has already established while bringing his own ideas into the mix.
The new show will feature Liverpool-based artists alongside music from across the independent scene, with an emphasis on giving emerging acts regular exposure and creating space for new releases to be heard.
Dan’s first programme airs on Friday 19 December.

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Horizon Radio has been resolved of its breach for broadcasting the F word on repeat for around half an hour.

Ofcom said the single word was aired continuously for at least 26 minutes during the 6pm hour on October 9th 2025, when children were particularly likely to be listening, after the station’s normal Evening Show was replaced without warning.
The incident prompted three listener complaints to Ofcom, alongside a proactive report from Horizon Radio itself, which contacted the regulator immediately after identifying the problem affecting its DAB output in Milton Keynes.
Horizon explained that its studio output is delivered to the DAB transmitter via a web stream provided by a third party, with transmission handled by a separate company.
It said the stream was compromised and replaced with a loop of offensive language without the station’s consent, which it linked to a dispute involving the stream provider and another DAB multiplex operator.
The station said the issue was identified by its managing director while listening in a car at 18:24, with immediate efforts made by senior staff to contact the transmission provider and request the service be taken off air. Horizon provided evidence showing multiple attempts to resolve the problem, with the correct service restored at 18:50.
An on-air apology was broadcast in the following hour once control of the DAB output had resumed, stating: “Earlier today you may have heard some language broadcast which may have caused offence. This was caused by circumstances outside our control, and we are very sorry for any offence this may have caused.”
Ofcom said the repeated broadcast of the word was a clear breach of Rules 1.14 and 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code, noting that the language is considered among the most offensive and requires strong contextual justification, particularly at times when children may be listening.
However, the regulator also recognised the swift action taken by Horizon, the unplanned nature of the broadcast, the on-air apology, and the station’s proactive engagement with Ofcom. Horizon has since brought all streaming operations in-house and confirmed it will no longer use the third-party provider involved.
Ofcom concluded that the matter is resolved.

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kmfm listeners have helped deliver thousands of toys to children across Kent through the station’s Give A Gift Christmas appeal, setting new records for donations.

The campaign resulted in more than 18,000 toys reaching families and charities across the county.
The annual appeal raised £19,564, which was converted directly into brand new toys to support children facing illness, hardship or difficult family circumstances during the festive period.
This year’s campaign was supported by Stoner Motor Company, which sponsored the appeal, provided vehicles to transport donations across Kent, and hosted collection points at its branches to make giving easier for listeners.
Dean Stoner from Stoner Motor Company joined Rob Wills and Numi on kmfm Breakfast to confirm the final totals, thanking listeners for getting involved and helping the campaign reach more children than ever before.
The Give A Gift appeal focuses on providing practical support at Christmas, with toys donated to a range of charities and organisations working with children and families across Kent.

Donations included baby mats, puzzles, building blocks, books and electronic items, all selected to suit different age groups and needs.
Financial donations were collected through a JustGiving page, with every contribution turned into toys. kmfm worked with Smyths Toys Superstores to make sure gifts were appropriate and matched to the requirements of each charity receiving support.
Rob said the response from listeners had been overwhelming. “Seeing the smiles and the reactions when we arrived with the toys has been very special,” he said, adding that the support from listeners and station partners had helped the appeal grow again this year.

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