Ed James (DJ)

Ed James (born Edward Charles Stirk 23 March 1976 in Knighton, Radnorshire)[2] is a British disc jockey, broadcaster and journalist, who currently hosts Drive Time for Heart West Midlands in Birmingham alongside Gemma Hill. He moved to the Drive Time Show in 2019, after presenting the Breakfast Show since 2002 on Heart. He is also a columnist with the Birmingham Mail, Chairman of the Birmingham Press Club and is the co-founder of content marketing agency HDY Agency.

Ed James
Chairman of Birmingham Press Club
In office
2012–Present
Preceded byJohn Lamb
Personal details
Born
Edward Charles Stirk

(1976-03-23) 23 March 1976[1]
Knighton, Radnorshire, Wales
EducationUniversity of Newcastle
ProfessionDJ broadcaster, journalist, columnist

Career

He started on the radio aged twelve on BBC Radio York. While studying at Newcastle University, he presented at various radio stations across England before getting his first 'proper' job at a station in Manchester. James presented many shows before joining 100.7 Heart FM in Birmingham as Breakfast Show presenter in 2002 taking over from Daryl Denham. He worked alongside Hellon Wheels until 2006, and Sarah-Jane Mee from 2007 to 2008. Rachel New was his co-presenter from 2008 to 2016 after moving from neighbouring station Kerrang! 105.2. Since January 2017, his co-presenter has been Gemma Hill.[3] In 2011 the Heart Breakfast Show won a Gold Sony Radio Award for Best Competition for its Beat The Star quiz that saw members of the public from around the Midlands competing alongside celebrities such as Gok Wan and Leona Lewis to answer general knowledge questions.[4][5][6] On 17 April 2012 James celebrated ten years as the Heart Breakfast Show presenter with a champagne breakfast in the studio, while Rachel New presented him with a pet lamb as a gift.[3] James presented his final breakfast show for Heart on 31 May 2019, following Global Radio's decision to introduce a national breakfast show from London. James then moved to Heart West Midlands's Drivetime show.[7]

James presented ITV Central's The Biz, a weekly round-up of the latest goings-on in the Midlands for Films, Music and Gigs. In 2009 he became a columnist for the Birmingham Mail, writing about entertainment and showbiz.[8] In April 2012 he was named as Chairman of Birmingham Press Club, narrowly beating former Central Tonight presenter Llewella Bailey to secure the position. Birmingham Press Club is the oldest organisation of its kind in the world.[9]

James's mother is TV chef Anne Stirk, who appeared on Gloria Hunniford's Channel 5 daily show Open House as the resident chef.

In June 2018, James co-founded content marketing agency HDY Agency with marketeer Angel Gaskell. James is a qualified NLP practitioner and a member of Create Central. In 2020 he published a self-help book, Be More Kid, which is co-authored with Mark and Nicky Taylor.[10]

References
  1. Young, Graham (30 March 2012). "Radio man Ed James happy to beat the odds by being No.1 at Heart FM". Birmingham Post. Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  2. "findmypast.co.uk". search.findmypast.co.uk.
  3. "Ed James marks 10 years on Heart breakfast". Radio Today. 18 April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  4. "In Full: Sony Radio Academy Awards 2011". Digital Spy. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  5. "Ed wins a Sony Gold" (Press release). EdJames.com. May 2011.
  6. "Sony Radio Academy Awards 2011: full list of winners". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  7. Guttridge, Richard (31 May 2019). "Emotional Ed James hosts final Heart breakfast show". Express and Star. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  8. Young, Graham (28 May 2009). "Heart FM presenter Ed James joins the Mail as an expert blogger". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  9. Brown, Graeme (19 April 2012). "Heart FM's Ed James named as new Birmingham Press Club chairman". Birmingham Post. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  10. "Broadcaster Ed launches first book in time for Christmas". York Press. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
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