UK

GB News (Radio) has reached one million followers on Instagram, marking another step in the channel’s digital growth.

The milestone takes the channel’s total following across all social media platforms to 8.5 million, just four years after its launch.
Chief Content Officer Geoff Marsh said the achievement reflects the channel’s growth across multiple platforms.
He explained: “To hit one million followers on Insta so quickly is phenomenal. Instagram Reels are a brilliant way for people to quickly and easily consume the best moments from GB News, whenever they want and wherever they are.”
Geoff added that the audience increase on Instagram, as well as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, X, Truth Social and Threads, demonstrates that people are engaging strongly with GB News output.
The announcement comes as the channel prepares for its American expansion. The Late Show Live will begin broadcasting from Washington D.C. next week. Presented by Bev Turner from Monday to Thursday, and by Ben Leo across Friday to Sunday, the two-hour programme will add 14 hours of coverage each week for viewers and listeners.
Earlier this month, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt welcomed the launch of GB News in the United States during an event in Washington. She told the audience: “GB News is going to be bringing a lot more common sense to the great people of the United Kingdom. You share the values we hold dear. I really look forward to continuing to work with the team at GB News.”

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Rewind Radio in Cornwall is preparing to drive 3,500 miles across Europe in aid of local charity HD Livin’.
Managing Director Richard Woods and Operations Director Shaun Ford will leave in the station’s van on Saturday 27 September, travelling from Cornwall to Monopoli in southern Italy and back in just ten days.
The pair aim to return on Monday 7 October, coinciding with Rewind Radio’s fourth birthday, after a nonstop 1,700-mile drive home lasting less than 27 hours.
The challenge will raise money for HD Livin’, which supports people affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD) and Motor Neurone Disease (MND). The charity is working towards establishing a respite centre in Cornwall where patients and their families can receive vital care.
Rewind Radio has already helped HD Livin’ raise more than £100,000 alongside founder Tony Lomas, with talks under way to secure land and a building for the new facility.
Shaun’s involvement is especially personal as he has recently been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. Richard said: “This is our third year fundraising for HD Livin’, a charity born out of love and necessity … The urgency has never felt more real.”
The rally, called Monopoli or Bust 2025, will be supported by main sponsor Cornwall Windows and Conservatories in Camborne.
Listeners can follow updates on air, via Rewind Radio’s social media channels and website, and can support the challenge through a JustGiving page: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rewindontheroad.

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Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden have been confirmed as guest speakers at Tuning In 2025, Radiocentre’s annual conference.

The Heart Breakfast presenters will appear at London’s King’s Place next week, sharing their story of building the UK’s biggest commercial breakfast show since teaming up in 2019.
They will also reflect on a landmark year for Heart, which overtook BBC Radio 2 to become the country’s largest radio brand. The latest RAJAR figures show Heart Brand now reaching 13 million listeners weekly, 415,000 more than Radio 2, with the gap continuing to widen this year.
Jamie returned to the airwaves at the start of this year following treatment for stage one laryngeal cancer. Alongside Amanda, his comeback has been part of a strong period of growth for the station, supported by Heart’s decade and sister stations.
Radiocentre’s Tuning In conference explores developments across radio and audio. The event is free for advertisers, agencies and Radiocentre members, though in-person spaces are nearly full.

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BBC Radio 1 is bringing its Anthems strand to the stage for the first time this November with a live event in Bradford.

Radio 1 Anthems Live will take place on Saturday 15 November at Bradford Live, featuring performances from Busted, Tinie Tempah and Pixie Lott, plus DJ sets from Charlie Hedges and Dean McCullough.
The night will celebrate iconic tracks from the last two decades and is being hosted by Charlie Hedges, Dean McCullough and Lauren Redfern.
Busted said they are “stoked” to be playing the first ever Radio 1 Anthems Live, promising hits including Year 3000, Crashed The Wedding and Air Hostess. Tinie Tempah added: “Expect bangers upon bangers classic and new.”
The event forms part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme. Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, said: “I’m delighted that we’ll be bringing the very first Anthems Live to Bradford this November as part of the 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations.”
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, said the BBC partnership “goes from strength to strength” with the event, describing it as “an unforgettable night of pure unadulterated fun, joy and music with your favourite artists.”
Highlights will air on Radio 1 on Wednesday 19 November at 5pm, with coverage across Radio 1 and Radio 1 Anthems throughout the day.
Radio 1 Anthems launched on DAB+ last week, giving young audiences the chance to discover and rediscover music from the 2000s and 2010s. This year has also seen the debut of the Anthems Live Lounge, with the Bradford event marking another milestone.
As an official broadcast partner for Bradford’s City of Culture year, the BBC has already showcased cultural highlights across TV, radio and online, including drama, documentaries, comedy and family programming.
The BBC says more than 22 million people have already watched Bradford-focused content on TV and iPlayer between October last year and August this year.
Further details on Radio 1 Anthems Live are available at bbc.co.uk/anthemslive.

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BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Fee Mak has joined East London homelessness charity Your Place as Patron.

Fee, who was born and raised in Newham, presents the Sunday morning show on BBC Radio 1Xtra and is also a regular television host. She has supported Your Place’s campaigns in recent years and her new role deepens her long-standing involvement with the charity.
Your Place is based in the London Borough of Newham, which has the highest rate of homelessness in the country with one in every eighteen residents without a secure home. The charity provides safe accommodation as well as tailored support, including access to health services, skills training and employment pathways.
Amanda Dubarry, Chief Executive of Your Place, said the charity was “absolutely thrilled” to welcome Fee as Patron. Amanda added that her Newham roots and ongoing public support for the organisation made her an ideal advocate for its work.
Fee said: “Homelessness is a major issue that deserves our attention, especially here in Newham. Since my secondary school days, volunteering and giving back have always been close to my heart. I’m honoured to support the vital work Your Place is doing to empower people and change lives in my community.”
Her appointment as Patron is expected to help Your Place connect with new audiences, particularly young people, and inspire residents who are following creative careers of their own.
Your Place continues to deliver its mission of ending homelessness one person at a time through personalised support.

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Community station West Kent Radio has applied to extend its FM coverage to include the town of Sevenoaks.
The application has been published by Ofcom and is now open for consultation.
West Kent Radio is currently licenced to serve Tonbridge, Southborough and Tunbridge Wells, to the south of Sevenoaks, on three FM frequencies.
In support of the application, Sevenoaks MP Laura Trott said she believed the extension would help address the gap in local broadcasting. “I know that for many residents – particularly older people and those who are less digitally connected – it is incredibly important to have access to trusted, relevant and timely local news and traditional FM radio,” she said.
Laura added: “Sadly, the reduction in BBC local radio services and the decline of local print journalism has left a real gap in the provision of reliable, community-focused content. I firmly believe that West Kent Radio, which already provides high-quality, volunteer-led broadcasting in neighbouring areas, is well placed to fill that gap.”
West Kent Radio’s News Editor, Martin Webber, highlighted the support the station has built locally. He said: “West Kent Radio has been building a team with considerable experience in UK media to curate a truly informative and engaging service for our listeners.”
He added that the station has been able to offer a wide range of contributors through strong collaboration. “Thanks to the excellent cooperation from BBC Radio Kent, our partners at Sky and all our local councillors, MPs and local people who have engaged with us, we have access to a range of voices that is unique to our station.
“Sevenoaks is deeply integrated into our existing area and we are hopeful Ofcom will be able to agree to our coverage extension request.”
West Kent Radio launched in 2021. Its commitments under Ofcom include promoting healthy lifestyles, facilitating discussion and expression of opinion, and strengthening community links across its broadcast area.

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