DJ Spoony
Encyclopedia
DJ Spoony is the stage name
of Johnathan Joseph (born 25 June 1970, Hackney
, London) who is a British DJ, and former BBC Radio 1
presenter.
, where he became a member of the Dreem Teem with Mikee B and Timmi Magic. The Dreem Team then via a groundbreaking show on Galaxy brought UK garage
to Radio 1 in January 2000.
His popular moniker, Spoony, was coined during his youth, where he was said to have a 'head shaped like a spoon'.
His weekend breakfast show (October 2003 - Sept 2006) allowed listeners to join the Early Doors Club, play Judge Fudge, and become a Local Legend. Another long-running feature was Mills & Spoon (a nameplay of the Mills & Boon
books), in which Scott Mills
read out love stories every Sunday.
On 31 July 2006 the BBC announced that Spoony was to leave Radio 1 after six years with the station to concentrate on Five Live work. His early breakfast slot was replaced by Fearne Cotton
and Reggie Yates
. Spoony presented his final Radio 1 show on 17 September 2006. He can currently be heard on Radio 5 Live
with 'Spoony meets....'. A series of shows that will see him one-on-one with various players from the British football leagues.
A trailblazer alongside Timmi and Mikee, took UK Garage to venues in the UK audience and further afield. He was resident DJ at the UK's top Garage and R'n'B club night 'Twice as Nice' for 7 years, mixing and compiling 3 gold selling compilation albums for the brand. He has had residencies in Ibiza and Ayai Napa for over 10 years as well as annual visits to many other mediterranean islands.
competing with Ola Jordan
. They were eliminated in the third week of the competition. He also appeared on The Weakest Link, A Question of Sport and was winning contestant on the celebrity version of the popular and long running quiz Mastermind. His love of music inspired him to choose the "Life and Times of Ray Charles' as his specialist subject.
in six weeks challenge for the magazine Men's Health
.
He supports Liverpool FC.
Spoony has combined his love of golf and enjoyment supporting worthwhile causes by organising an Annual golf tournament at Stoke Park Club
in Stoke Poges
, Buckinghamshire
for The Golf Roots Foundation. This event has been running since 2002 is always shown on Sky Sports. Spoony is widely credited as someone who has brought many new people to the game of golf with his enthusiasm and constant references on radio.
In 2009 Spoony became the first patron of the Jude Brady Foundation, the foundation was set up by a friend to help raise awareness of still birth in the UK after his son was still born in June 2006. Spoony has worked tirelessly since becoming a patron helped organises a charity golf day and gala ball for the Foundation in 2010.
In November 2009, Spoony was arrested for grabbing an ex-girlfriend by her throat at her home. He admitted the charges of assault and received a police caution.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
of Johnathan Joseph (born 25 June 1970, Hackney
London Borough of Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
, London) who is a British DJ, and former BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
presenter.
Radio and Dj career
Spoony's career started on London Underground (a leading pirate radio station in the mid-nineties). He then joined Kiss 100Kiss 100 London
Kiss is a UK radio station broadcasting on FM and Digital Radio, specialising in hip hop, R&B, urban and electronic dance music. It also broadcasts on DAB Digital Radio around the UK & nationally on Freeview, Sky and TalkTalk TV...
, where he became a member of the Dreem Teem with Mikee B and Timmi Magic. The Dreem Team then via a groundbreaking show on Galaxy brought UK garage
UK garage
UK garage is a genre of electronic dance music originating from the United Kingdom in the early-1990s. UK garage is a descendant of house music which originated in Chicago and New York, United States. UK garage usually features a distinctive syncopated 4/4 percussive rhythm with 'shuffling'...
to Radio 1 in January 2000.
His popular moniker, Spoony, was coined during his youth, where he was said to have a 'head shaped like a spoon'.
His weekend breakfast show (October 2003 - Sept 2006) allowed listeners to join the Early Doors Club, play Judge Fudge, and become a Local Legend. Another long-running feature was Mills & Spoon (a nameplay of the Mills & Boon
Mills & Boon
Mills & Boon is a British publisher of romance novels. It was founded in 1908, and was independent until its purchase in 1971 by Harlequin Enterprises with whom the company had had a long informal partnership...
books), in which Scott Mills
Scott Mills
Scott Robert Mills is a British radio DJ, television presenter and occasional actor, best known for presenting The Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1...
read out love stories every Sunday.
On 31 July 2006 the BBC announced that Spoony was to leave Radio 1 after six years with the station to concentrate on Five Live work. His early breakfast slot was replaced by Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
and Reggie Yates
Reggie Yates
Reginald "Reggie" Yates is a British actor, television presenter and radio DJ of Ghanaian descent. He went to Central Foundation Boys' School.-Early career:...
. Spoony presented his final Radio 1 show on 17 September 2006. He can currently be heard on Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 5 Live is the BBC's national radio service that specialises in live BBC News, phone-ins, and sports commentaries...
with 'Spoony meets....'. A series of shows that will see him one-on-one with various players from the British football leagues.
A trailblazer alongside Timmi and Mikee, took UK Garage to venues in the UK audience and further afield. He was resident DJ at the UK's top Garage and R'n'B club night 'Twice as Nice' for 7 years, mixing and compiling 3 gold selling compilation albums for the brand. He has had residencies in Ibiza and Ayai Napa for over 10 years as well as annual visits to many other mediterranean islands.
Television work
In 2006 Spoony took part in the fourth series of Strictly Come DancingStrictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
competing with Ola Jordan
Ola Jordan
Aleksandra "Ola" Jordan is a professional Latin dance specialist best known for her appearances on the British TV show Strictly Come Dancing. After winning a championship event in Poland she moved to England and began a new partnership with James Jordan...
. They were eliminated in the third week of the competition. He also appeared on The Weakest Link, A Question of Sport and was winning contestant on the celebrity version of the popular and long running quiz Mastermind. His love of music inspired him to choose the "Life and Times of Ray Charles' as his specialist subject.
Other media
In June 2008 he was one of the celebrities who took part in a Six packSix pack
A six pack is a type of multi-pack made of six canned or bottled drinks, typically a soft drink or beer, which are sold as a single unit. Cans are usually connected with plastic six pack rings, HDPE Can Carriers, shrink film, or paperboard....
in six weeks challenge for the magazine Men's Health
Men's Health (magazine)
Men's Health , published by Rodale Inc. in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, United States, is the world’s largest men’s magazine brand, with 44 editions around the world. It is also the best-selling men's magazine on U.S. newsstands. It covers fitness, nutrition, sexuality, lifestyle and other aspects of...
.
Personal life
Spoony enjoys playing golf and is a big fan of sport in general. He has played several times, and won in 2009, in the Gary Player Invitational charity golf series to raise funds for children around the world. Spoony is also good friends with golfer Ian Poulter and DJ'd at his wedding at Woburn Sculpture Gallery in 2007.He supports Liverpool FC.
Spoony has combined his love of golf and enjoyment supporting worthwhile causes by organising an Annual golf tournament at Stoke Park Club
Stoke Park Club
Stoke Park is a historic estate in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire. The Mansion is located amongst of parkland, lakes, historic gardens and monuments. The site is now a hotel, spa and country club....
in Stoke Poges
Stoke Poges
Stoke Poges is a village and civil parish in the South Buckinghamshire district of Buckinghamshire, England. It is in the south of the county, about three miles north of Slough and a mile east of Farnham Common....
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
for The Golf Roots Foundation. This event has been running since 2002 is always shown on Sky Sports. Spoony is widely credited as someone who has brought many new people to the game of golf with his enthusiasm and constant references on radio.
In 2009 Spoony became the first patron of the Jude Brady Foundation, the foundation was set up by a friend to help raise awareness of still birth in the UK after his son was still born in June 2006. Spoony has worked tirelessly since becoming a patron helped organises a charity golf day and gala ball for the Foundation in 2010.
In November 2009, Spoony was arrested for grabbing an ex-girlfriend by her throat at her home. He admitted the charges of assault and received a police caution.