RadioStar ‘25 -The Next RadioStar
RadioStar 2025
News
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE RADIOSTAR '25
LISTEN TO EACH CONTESTANT’S CHALLENGE 1, 2 & 3 AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE.
SCROLL TO LAST CONTESTANT AND HIT VOTE BUTTON BELOW
SIMON TUCK
Simon Tuck is from Bedford, England. A previous RadioStar '22 contestant, he’s inspired by Chris Moyles and Laura McGhee, and dreams of presenting overnight shows on BBC Radio 5 Live and daytime shows too. He’s also a proud Panto Dame, winning the role in Aladdin with NODA last year!
RICHIE THOMAS
Richie Thomas is based in Manchester, UK. He’s driven by a deep passion for music and a constant desire to connect and grow through radio. He was also a RadioStar '22 finalist. “My dream is to present a Pop or Dance music show.”
DAVID LAMONT
David Lamont is based in Belfast. Alongside radio presenting, he’s a local DJ and part of the media team at Glentoran Football Club, where he conducts post-match interviews with players and coaches. He’s inspired by Dave Pearce, Trevor Nelson, and Roman Kemp. “My dream is to host a full-time, five-day-a-week show on a commercial station.”
MARK HANBIDGE
Mark Hanbidge is from Ireland and brings a deep love for radio, storytelling, and self-improvement. Mark first fell in love with radio through its power to connect people one-to-one, and he’s driven by the belief that meaning matters more than noise. “My dream is to be a radio broadcaster.” He says: “RadioStar isn’t about proving you’re the best—it’s a genuine opportunity to improve and work with professionals. I’ve reached out to past participants and judges, and they all say the same thing: this is a space to grow, learn, and get better. That’s exactly what I’m here for.”
AFEISHA JOSEPH
Afeisha Joseph is from Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago .Her dream is to work in media as a radio broadcaster or news presenter. Her inspirations: Nicole Larson (Talk City Radio), Ira Glass (This American Life), and Adrian Don Mora (Sweet 100). “I love singing, reading a good novel, and connecting with new people.”
DESMOND LAWRENCE
Desmond Lawrence joins us from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He’s inspired by the late Glen Antoine—widely regarded as one of the greatest radio presenters in the country—and dreams of working as an on-air presenter and program director abroad. Desmond is also passionate about the marketing side of radio, with a keen interest in listenership and analytics.
TOM WILLIETS
Tom Williets is based in London, UK. He’s passionate about creative audio—using sound effects, music, and storytelling to elevate his production and connect with listeners. He’s inspired by Greg James, Scott Mills, Kris Fade, and Alice Levene "They all do things so differently to each other, but are all individually incredible at using audio creatively, telling stories and captivating audiences with their infectious, effortless personalities." “I’d love to present a national breakfast show, either in the UK or abroad.”
JOCELYN MARTIN
Jocelyn Martin is based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. She’s spent over a decade as an On-Air Announcer and Music Director across Ontario, and currently works at CTV News Barrie. . She's also been a RadioStar Judge over the years! Her dream is to work at CBC Toronto in an on-air or producing role. "I'm inspired by female broadcasters who are shaking up the industry."
DAVE HOLT
Dave Holt from Merseyside returns to the spotlight after being a finalist in RadioStar '24 and part of the BBC Radio 1 Christmas Presenters in 2019. He’s passionate about local radio and hopes to build a lasting career as a presenter.
SORCHA MORGAN
Sorcha Morgan is originally from Dublin and now based in London. She’s passionate about radio and dreams of hosting a breakfast show & then transitioning into talk radio in the future. Her inspirations include Graham Norton and Joanne McNally, both known for their authenticity and resilience. She's delighted to be part of RadioStar! It's a pleasure to have you with us this year, Sorcha! “I first fell in love with radio at age six thanks to a Barbie beach house with a built-in radio. I’ve been hooked ever since.”
MARK HOBBS
Mark Hobbs is from London, England. He studied at the Global Academy for four years, where he presented the Breakfast Show on their student station and graduated with a Distinction in an Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology. Mark is inspired by Greg James and his ability to blend storytelling and fun into great radio. “My dream is to become a radio presenter on a hit music brand such as Capital, Radio 1, or Hits Radio.”
AARON GILES
Aaron Giles joins us from Auckland, New Zealand. He’s passionate about audio! Dream jobs: successful voice actor, podcaster & sports commentator. His inspirations include Bill Simmons (The Ringer) and Grant Nisbett. We’re excited to have Aaron on board!
MSIZI MAPHUMULO
Msizi Maphumulo joins us from Durban, South Africa. With over 10 years of experience in radio—both hosting and producing—he’s the voice behind “The Morning Shakeup” on Inanda FM. In 2023, he won the South African Radio Award for Best Breakfast Show in the Community category. Inspirations: Linda Mr Magic Sibiya, Chilli M, Phat Joe, and DJ Sbu. “My dream is to be a breakfast host on an international radio station.”
JOSHUA TAYLOR
Joshua Taylor is already making waves in the Highlands. At just 17, he’s packed in over four years of commercial radio experience and currently serves as Deputy Station Manager at Radio Wester Ross. His dream? To host a Breakfast or Drive show on a Bauer or Global station. His inspirations: Boogie, Arlene & Marty (Forth 1), Greg James, Chris Moyles, and Jordan North. “I have a huge passion for radio and the power of the medium.” 🔥
KHANYISILE MAHLANGU
Khanyisile Mahlangu has a real passion for radio. Her dream is to host a daytime show on national radio. Her inspirations :Stacey Norman and Andy from Kaya959 “I just love radio and I love authentic radio.”
⭐ YOU’RE INVITED to the RadioStar ’25 STAGE 3 RESULTS WATCH PARTY :
👉 https://youtu.be/KM-iEj7KhCM
(OnAirCoach YouTube Channel)
* LISTEN to RadioStar ’25 Contestants’ Challenge 3 submissions
* Challenge 3 Scores
* OVERALL SCORES – Challenges 1, 2 + 3 Combined.
* Stage 3 Judges
🔔 RS25 UPDATE – After our results show Tues night:
Contestants received the judges scores for their Challenge 2.
⭐ Joshua Taylor received the highest score for Challenge 2 (1710) and also combined Challenge 1 + Challenge 2 = Overall Score so far! (3442)
🔴 NOW… Stage 3 and contestants have just received their judges feedback and their Challenge 3.
The deadline for Challenge 3 submissions is 2nd Dec and then Stage 3 Judging!
🗒️Contestants’ Challenge 1 feedback really helped them prepare Challenge 2.
Here… Challenge 2 Score results & Ch1 + Ch2 Overall Scores so far for RadioStar ’25.
Congratulations, contestants! They’ve all worked so hard! Well done and thanks again to the incredible judges who dedicated their time and experience in helping nuture talent. 👏
#radiostar25stage2
#rs25challenge2 #radiostar25challenge3 #rs25c3
🔔 RS25 UPDATE – After our results show last night:
Contestants received the judges scores for their Challenge 1.
⭐ Sorcha Morgan received the highest score!
🔴 NOW… Stage 2 and contestants have just received their judges feedback and Challenge 2; ‘Ride The Intro’
The deadline for Challenge 2 submissions is 12th Nov and then Stage 2 Judging!
🗒️ Contestants’ feedback is really going to help them prepare Challenge 2!
Then when Challenge 2 scores are in, we will add those scores to their Challenge 1s!
New Year! New RadioStar Contest!
So, Stage 1 is well and truly underway! The 20 contestants have received Challenge Number 1 set by Nails Mahoney!
The deadline for Challenge 1 entries is 23rd October , where all contestants must submit their audio by 5pm UK time.
This year’s challenge theme is : Music Radio Presentation.
At the moment , we are finalising our Stage 1 judges who will listen to each audio submission and score 1-100.
Optional – They will also be given the opportunity to share their feedback with the contestants.
This year there will be no eliminations , so each contestant will stay till the end. This isn’t about winning in the traditional sense, but about showing up, growing, and making progress you can carry with you.
In each Stage , whoever receives the most scores from the judges will be ‘Top Scorer’ for that challenge.
For the final show, we’ll celebrate the success of all contestants and acknowledge those who made the most consistent progress across all five challenges.
The contestant with the highest score will be ‘RadioStar 2025’
CONTESTANTS
9th October @7pm UK 🎙️⭐ RadioStar 2025 – Premiere Tonight!
🎙️⭐ RadioStar 2025 – Premiere Tonight!
To all who entered, supported, and followed our RadioStar contest each year — tonight’s the night.
Although we received fewer entries than in previous years, the quality was incredibly high, and the judges were blown away by the talent they heard!
So… it’s time to reveal the Top 20.
📺 Watch the Premiere
🕖 Tonight – Thursday, 9th October at 7:00 PM UK time
📍 OnAirCoach YouTube Channel → https://youtu.be/74KfrwBfuvY?si=XPyWM72VTfSVuwJA
Whether you are through or not… thank YOU for being part of something special. 🫶
RadioStar 2025 is all about growth, creativity, and celebrating real radio talent.
We’re excited to get this year started.
The theme is Music Radio Presentation, and we’ll be introducing the skills and art of great music radio.
You’ll come away with a lot: make new contacts, meet industry professionals, and discover opportunities that could open doors to a new career, inspire a solo venture, or improve your radio show.
There will be five challenges, each with a tight deadline and scored by our judges. All participants will remain in the contest until the end. The goal of each challenge is personal progress!
All 20 will be acknowledged. And yes, traditionally, there will be a top scorer… but this is about self-growth and achieving something meaningful for yourself.
See you tonight… and good luck to everyone who dared to enter.
hashtagRadioStar2025 hashtagOnAirCoach hashtagRadioTalent hashtagBroadcastChallenge hashtagTop20Reveal hashtagRadioPresentation hashtagCreativeVoices
🗞️ RadioStar ’25 News
✅ Judging Complete — And the Format Is Locked In
We’ve now completed the judging process — and after extensive conversations with mentors, judges, and industry voices, we’ve made a final decision on this year’s format.
We’ve shaken things up for 2025.
Not just for the sake of change, but because radio itself is evolving, and we felt it was time to adapt with purpose.
Many factors came into play — from the rise of AI tools to the shifting role of personality, music presentation, and storytelling. After weighing it all, we’ve chosen to move forward with 20 contestants.
🎧 This year, it’s all about Music Presentation.
We’re focusing on the timeless skills that define great radio — hosting, storytelling, and the ability to truly connect through sound.
📣 What’s Next?
We’ll be contacting the 20 selected contestants directly — so keep an eye on your inbox.
The reveal will also be announced as a YouTube Premiere on our official channel:
👉 youtube.net/@onaircoach
Please note:
Due to the overwhelming number of entries, we’re unable to contact everyone individually.
🌟 Could You Be the Next RadioStar?
RadioStar ’25 marks our 8th consecutive year as the only international talent search dedicated to radio— and this year, we’re returning to our roots.
It’s exciting. It’s personal. And we’d love you to be part of it.
🔄 Why We’re Refocusing
RadioStar ’25 comes with a twist — a new format, a renewed philosophy.
In a world transformed by AI tools and social media, some of the core skills that once defined great radio have been sidelined. We believe it’s time to bring them back.
🎙️ Why These Skills Matter
Whether you’re a radio host or podcaster, these foundational skills help you:
- Craft content that truly resonates
- Develop originality and creative voice
- Connect through storytelling and personality
- Show confidence and expertise in your niche
- Stand apart from AI-generated content
🛠️ The New Format
20 Contestants
5 Challenges
1 Top Scorer
✅ No eliminations — every contestant stays in until the final.
🧑⚖️ The Judges
Each challenge is judged by industry experts who specialize in the skill being tested. Their feedback is designed to help you grow, refine your craft, and build confidence.
🌍 The Contestants
20 voices from around the world.
All five challenges.
No eliminations.
Just growth, guidance, and discovery.
💡 What RadioStar Is Really About
This isn’t about competition.
It’s not about “winning.”
It’s about personal growth, creative purpose, and finding your ikigai — your reason for being. And of course it’s always FREE. No charges or entry fees.
🔁 Why Now?
AI tools are changing the landscape.
But human creativity, personality, and originality still matter — more than ever.
RadioStar ’25 is here to celebrate those qualities, and to give them a platform.
✅ Judging Complete — And a Better Plan Ahead
RadioStar ’25 entries closed on September 1, 2025, and the judges have now completed their review.
But here’s the twist:
Between us, we’ve come up with a better plan.
Something more exciting, more inclusive — and more aligned with our original philosophy.
🔜 What’s Next?
Top 20 Reveal
We’ll be announcing the Top 20 as a YouTube Premiere on our official channel:
👉 youtube.net/@onaircoach
If you’re selected, you’ll also receive an email notification.
Please note:
Due to the overwhelming number of entries, we’re unable to contact everyone individually.