Ben Jones (DJ)
Encyclopedia
Ben Jones is an English
radio DJ and former children's television presenter. He is currently a presenter on the Heart Network
, a position he has held since 2011.
, Dorset
. He grew up in the New Forest
and now lives in Fulham
, west London
. His first steps into the radio industry were as teaboy and Broadcast Assistant on local radio stations such as 2CR and Power FM
.
In 1997 he spent time as a DJ at the Capital Radio Cafe in 1997. During this time, he was mentored by Chris Tarrant
, a man Jones professes to admire the most, "because of his longevity, consistency and talent". Under the management of programme director Paul Jackson, and the connections with Tarrant, soon Jones broke into television as he had desired. As a child, he had been inspired by children's radio star Andy Crane
and sought to be a presenter himself. He soon became a presenter on the British version on The Disney Channel in 1998, presenting the station's first-ever breakfast show and a live interactive show. From 1999 he worked as a presenter CITV
, fronting programmes such as The Top 10 of Everything, Its a Mystery and CITV Afternoons along with other presenters such as Stephen Mulhern
and Danielle Nicholls
.
In late October and early November 2008, Jones co-presented the Christian O' Connell Breakfast show whilst O'Connell was on leave. With the changing of ownership of Virgin Radio and naming to Absolute Radio, a move to focus more on classic rock music with greater flexibility in the choice of music played, at this time in 2008.
When Virgin rebranded to Absolute Radio they announced the launch of four new weekly shows, The 90s hour, the album hour, the classic artist hour and The A-Z hour. All of these were hosted by Jones. Jones also presented on DAB Digital sister station Absolute 80's weekdays from 1pm to 5pm. Jones also co-presented the weekly Absolute Radio Movies Extra Podcast
with Adrian Hieatt. His former evening show was broadcast just after Geoff Lloyd
's Hometime Show between 8pm-11pm.
On 9 May 2011, It was confirmed that Ben will leave Absolute Radio and Absolute 80s at the end of July 2011 to pursue new projects. Ben presented his last show on Absolute Radio on Friday 29th July 2011.
, David Bowie
, Coldplay
, Robbie Williams
, Slash
, Ozzy Osbourne
, the Red Hot Chili Peppers
and Ronnie Wood. On October 22, 2008, Jones interviewed Australian rock stars, singer Brian Johnson
and guitarist Angus Young
of AC/DC
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
radio DJ and former children's television presenter. He is currently a presenter on the Heart Network
Heart Network
Heart is a radio network of 17 adult contemporary independent local radio stations in central & southern England and north Wales. Each station broadcasts local breakfast and drive time shows and simulcasts network programming at all other times...
, a position he has held since 2011.
Early career
Jones was born in BournemouthBournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
. He grew up in the New Forest
New Forest
The New Forest is an area of southern England which includes the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in the heavily-populated south east of England. It covers south-west Hampshire and extends into south-east Wiltshire....
and now lives in Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
, west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. His first steps into the radio industry were as teaboy and Broadcast Assistant on local radio stations such as 2CR and Power FM
Power FM
Power FM redirects here and refers to the former UK radio station. For the Australian radio station network of the same name, see Power FM Network. For the English language broadcaster based in the Canary Islands see Power FM Canary Islands...
.
In 1997 he spent time as a DJ at the Capital Radio Cafe in 1997. During this time, he was mentored by Chris Tarrant
Chris Tarrant
Christopher John "Chris" Tarrant, OBE is an English radio and television broadcaster, now best known for hosting the first version of the television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in the United Kingdom and later Ireland, as the two national versions of the show merged in 2002.Chris...
, a man Jones professes to admire the most, "because of his longevity, consistency and talent". Under the management of programme director Paul Jackson, and the connections with Tarrant, soon Jones broke into television as he had desired. As a child, he had been inspired by children's radio star Andy Crane
Andy Crane
Howard Andrew 'Andy' Crane is an English television and radio presenter, best known for presenting Children's BBC , amongst many others.-Career:...
and sought to be a presenter himself. He soon became a presenter on the British version on The Disney Channel in 1998, presenting the station's first-ever breakfast show and a live interactive show. From 1999 he worked as a presenter CITV
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
, fronting programmes such as The Top 10 of Everything, Its a Mystery and CITV Afternoons along with other presenters such as Stephen Mulhern
Stephen Mulhern
Stephen Daniel Mulhern is a British TV presenter, entertainer, and former magician. He began presenting in the studio on CITV in May 1998 and became a leading presenter until he left in August 2002. He has presented a number of shows, including SMTV Live, Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown and...
and Danielle Nicholls
Danielle Nicholls
Danielle Nicholls is a British television presenter, best known for her presenting of CITV from 1998 to 2001.-Personal life:...
.
Virgin/Absolute Radio
After a brief spell at Fire Radio in Bournemouth, in 2001 he joined Virgin Radio (now Absolute Radio), initially working in late night or overnight spots. In 2004 he became the host of the Most Wanted show, but in late 2006, he was allocated the Virgin Radio Drivetime show an afternoon/early evening show at one of the peak listening times of the day. He has, however, worked in many slots on the radio station at various times of the day and week, often filling in for missing DJs. Jones has presented a wide variety of shows, including Afternoons, Virgin Superstars, Most Wanted, Virgin radio drive-time, Album Chart, Sunday Night Live 7-10pm. Since July 2007 however, Jones has returned to primarily host the Most Wanted show. This suits Jones's needs well, given that interviewing well established actors and successful musicians and any musical sessions is one of his most desired areas of radio broadcasting.In late October and early November 2008, Jones co-presented the Christian O' Connell Breakfast show whilst O'Connell was on leave. With the changing of ownership of Virgin Radio and naming to Absolute Radio, a move to focus more on classic rock music with greater flexibility in the choice of music played, at this time in 2008.
When Virgin rebranded to Absolute Radio they announced the launch of four new weekly shows, The 90s hour, the album hour, the classic artist hour and The A-Z hour. All of these were hosted by Jones. Jones also presented on DAB Digital sister station Absolute 80's weekdays from 1pm to 5pm. Jones also co-presented the weekly Absolute Radio Movies Extra Podcast
Absolute Radio Movies Extra Podcast
The Absolute Radio Movies Extra Podcast is a weekly podcast from the UK-based Absolute Radio station. It is hosted by Ben Jones and Adrian Hieatt.- Content :...
with Adrian Hieatt. His former evening show was broadcast just after Geoff Lloyd
Geoff Lloyd
Geoff Lloyd is a British radio presenter. Lloyd presents Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show, Monday-Friday, 5pm-8pm on Absolute Radio...
's Hometime Show between 8pm-11pm.
On 9 May 2011, It was confirmed that Ben will leave Absolute Radio and Absolute 80s at the end of July 2011 to pursue new projects. Ben presented his last show on Absolute Radio on Friday 29th July 2011.
Accolades
Jones won a Bronze Sony Award in 2003 for Virgin Superstars, and is one of Absolute Radio's most popular interviewers, interviewing such musicians as Mick JaggerMick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
, Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
, Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal...
, the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
and Ronnie Wood. On October 22, 2008, Jones interviewed Australian rock stars, singer Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson
Brian Johnson is an English singer and lyricist who has been the lead singer for the rock band AC/DC since 1980. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 along with the other members of the band....
and guitarist Angus Young
Angus Young
Angus McKinnon Young is a Scottish-born Australian musician, and the lead guitarist, songwriter, and co-founder of the rock and roll band AC/DC. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with other members of AC/DC in 2003 and is known for his energetic performances,...
of AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
.