Presenters
James Hazell
James has been radio broadcasting to East Anglia for over 35 years.
He's a Yarmouth boy, but now happily and permanently settled in Suffolk, his home for 30 years. James delivers energy and wit together with a sensitivity to delicate stories.
He will often 'tell it like it is' and is not afraid to challenge those that affect our lives.
James presents his show Monday to Friday 9am - 12pm
James is the founder of GenX Radio Suffolk.
"We start with virtually nothing – just a dream"
Roger Woods
Roger is a ‘Man of Kent’ who has lived in East Anglia for over twenty years with his family.
When his parent bought him a Phillips portable cassette recorder/player he spent many hours listening to the radio and recording himself pretending to be a radio announcer, however, his school’s careers master didn’t think it was an appropriate job when he stated that was what he wanted to be.
A stint on Hospital Radio led to his first professional radio job as the ‘Flying Eye’ travel reporter on his local commercial radio station Invicta FM in 1986. Producer/Presenter roles followed and in 1988 he moved on to BFBS Radio. In 2001 the BBC foolishly employed him firstly at Radio Suffolk then Kent, Leicester, Cambridge and the BBC Travel Unit. After leaving the world of radio for a ‘proper job’ in autumn 2006 he promptly volunteered on three different Community Radio Stations for over ten years.
In June 2022 he became aware of GenX Radio Suffolk thanks to Sharon, James’ producer and someone he worked with at his first BBC station, who text bombed him with all the reason why he should become a part of this amazing team; how could he refuse…
Neil Whiteside
A radio man since my early teens. I started off with a group of mates at school producing shows on reel-to-reel tape. Then the usual route through Hospital Radio & Community Radio..
I love music - everything from the 60s to now. I've even been known to play a bit of guitar from time to time. But only ever in the privacy of my own home!
Barry Lewis
Steve Springett
Steve’s love of music inspired him to join Colchester Hospital Radio back in 1978 and he spent 10 years volunteering there until 1988 saw him broadcasting to the wards of the Ipswich Hospital.
Two days after his first child was born there, Steve was on Radio Orwell’s late show for the very first time. Steve took nearly every show slot there until 1993 when Classic Gold Amber pinched him for their Afternoon Drive time show. The Breakfast Show followed soon after & Steve also presented their weekend network programs until 2008.
KLFM, Town 102, Dream 100 & Radio Norwich all followed until 2012 when BBC Radio Suffolk came knocking. With 10 years behind him, he said goodbye, wishing to get back to the heart of Radio.
The opportunity to work with GenX Radio Suffolk will once again bring the distinctive voice of this legend of local radio back through the speakers of our radios.
Tim Willett
Tim hosts Afternoons on Monday and Friday and joined GenX
Radio Suffolk in 2023. You could say he was born to be on the airwaves -
presenting radio shows to his parents around the house from a young age with
the help of a Fisher Price microphone.
His radio journey has taken him in to the world of both community and commercial radio and still gets the excited butterflies feeling in his stomach whenever he takes to the airwaves.
Broadcasting from Newmarket, he's lived in East Anglia all of his life and currently works at one of the counties biggest entertainment venues.
Away from the radio, Tim loves live music, comedy, sport (watching - not participating!) and has an unhealthy obsession with the Eurovision Song Contest...
Jeremy Durrant
Jeremy has been a radio presenter and DJ since the age of 15 and his parents are to this day still living in hope of him one day getting a proper job!
You could well of heard Jeremy on the airwaves in Suffolk over the years presenting on SGR FM, Town 102 & Dream 100 plus many more stations across the whole of the UK.
Along side the radio Jeremy has always been a club DJ playing in Europe as well as many residencies here in Suffolk at Hollywoods Nightclub back in the day & also liquid & Yates in Ipswich!
Currently Jeremy owns Rubix Nightclub down the A12 in Colchester and is super excited to be back on air here in Suffolk on Drive-time from 4pm every weekday afternoon!
Nigel Lungley
Nigel was born 'over Stoke' and grew up on Chantry. A real Ipswich boy at heart..
He first ventured into radio as a Broadcast Assistant at Radio Suffolk and actually looked after James at weekends.
He has spent several years in Community Radio in Felixstowe and just over the border in Diss looking after weekend breakfast, mid mornings and drive time. He has a great sense of humour and sees it where, perhaps he shouldn't!
Nigel is keen on theatre and has played roles Baddie to Panto Dame. Musically he likes most genres, the favorite's being 1970's, Motown,and High Energy Dance. Is this the place to admit to being a Cher, Steps and Abba fan?
Ian Daborn
Ian was born is Essex and grew up in Harrow
He started his broadcasting career at a hospital radio station in London before moving to Ten17 Harlow, Essex FM, Mercury FM Herts, Hertbeat FM & Cambridge 105 Radio
He's been married to The Lovely Karen for over 30 years and has two grown up children.
Jake Moyse
I lived in a village near Halesworth for 21 years before moving to Southampton for work.
2024 sees my return to the county I will always call home. I've been working in television and streaming production for the last few years which is where I found my love of presenting, both on camera and on radio, my friends always say I have a face for radio!
When I first joined my colleague, Miles Crawford, on his radio show on London Soul Radio, I quickly realised radio is what I want to do more of. Since then I have regularly joined him on his show.
Suffolk is where my family are and even when I was away I still had ties in activities in Suffolk, including being the secretary of my local bowls club and helping to run a couple of Suffolk charity events including the Grand Henham Steam Rally. So, to move back to Suffolk, well "you know it makes sense" as Del boy would say!
My music taste is very varied, enjoying most things from the 60s to today, upbeat and happy or slower and relaxed, I play it all. As well as music I have a passion for Stand-up comedy, Sitcoms and general nonsense. Some may say I like to act the fool, I'll let you listen and be the judge of that!
Tobias Bown
Tobias has been presenting radio shows since he was a child when he used to relish sitting between two CD players and broadcasting to his parents. The technology has improved and hopefully the audience has grown since then too!
He has been heard on hospital radio, student radio, BBC local radio and community radio across the Eastern region, in addition to the podcast that he hosts with his wife. Tobias is passionate about people, loves life and is always ready to bang out the biggest tunes of the last 60 years.
Matt Boorman
Matt presents the best in Punk New Wave and Indie from the 70s and 80s every Saturday from 6pm, and rediscovers those jangly guitar sounds of the 90s every Thursday from 10pm.
Born and bred in Suffolk and a devout Town supporter, he grew up in pubs in villages in the West of the County being exposed to live music from a toddler. A keen and some may say unhealthy obsessive chart historian, Matt has been publishing books on the subject since 2005 and has recently been presenting an 80s show on local community radio in the South West and dips his feet into a weekly rock show for the US trying to follow in the footsteps of his idol, John Peel.
Matt has come home to where he belongs.
Mike Boswell
Mike hails from Suffolk. During his career he has been the voice of Mildenhall and Ipswich speedway, presented on a number East Anglia commercial radio stations.
He notes his strangest radio job as the breakfast presenter, for Saint FM, on the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic. It’s a small island with about 4,000 inhabitants where the radio station is pivotable to daily life – the traffic reports are a not like we have for Suffolk! This opportunity led to him presenting “The UK Show” syndicate show across fifteen different countries.
Today, you’ll find him popping upon Gen X Radio Suffolk alongside his other job of presenting at large technology conferences.
Katy Bailey
Although relatively new to Suffolk, Katy Bailey has established herself in the community through radio. She is a familiar voice on Alde and Blyth Community Radio and has been presenting Community News on a Saturday since it's inception. She is excited to be joining the GenX team hosting the lunchtime show Monday to Friday.
Ray Anderson
Ray set up his radio & TV studio production business whilst still at school in 1968. He soon built a customer base including many leading Advertising Agencies making over 200 TV Commercials for Anglia Television and thousands of radio ads for Independent Local Radio.
He presented his first radio show on the 'Pirate' Radio Atlantis in 1974. Ray likes music, travel and nice food and wine! His collection of records and CDs includes thousands of songs collected on his trips to the USA and UK record shops, ideal for his show which explores hits from "Jukeboxes" on both sides of the Atlantic!
"I hope I don't run out of Quarters, Nickels, Dimes, Sixpences, Shillings and Half Crowns" said Ray, as we stoke up the songs on our Jukebox!
John Hyde
John started his radio career with Mellow 1557 in the 1990's which is where he first worked with James Hazell. As well as giving him a 4 hour midweek sport show, James encouraged him to learn journalism and he soon became a journalist and midday show presenter working alongside James, which continued when Mellow morphed into Dream 100fm.
After leaving Dream John worked as a journalist/news presenter for Liberty Radio in London presenting News on shows hosted by Toby Anstis, "Diddy" David Hamilton and the late Dave Cash.
When Liberty was sold he became a dedicated sport journalist covering Darts, Snooker, Tennis, Golf and Badminton for DLI Radio Sport and reporting on almost every English speaking radio station across the world.
John teamed up with James again at Sunshine Radio around 15 years ago and now by joining the team at Gen X will be teaming up with James for the third time.
Married to Clare with a daughter Emma, he lives in Devon, but thanks to the wonders of the internet can present the Ultimate Gold Show on Gen X Radio Suffolk.
In his spare time John enjoys football and follows Arsenal, he also enjoys both sea and freshwater fishing and going to air displays.
Nigel Rennie
Originally from North Yorkshire, Nigel moved with his parents to Felixstowe in the very early 70’s and, apart from a number of years away working and living overseas, Suffolk has continued to be his home county.
Nigel’s first radio experience was as a volunteer on Hospital Radio Ipswich, but it was when Radio Orwell came on air in October 1975 that he was able to get his foot in the door on what was eventually to become a full time professional radio career. His first regular radio programme came in 1977 when he was asked to provide holiday cover for the country music show. It was to be a big break for Nigel as, in addition to presenting many other different programmes on the likes of Radio Orwell, Saxon Radio, SGR, BBC Essex and the British Forces Broadcasting Service, he was to keep the country connection going throughout his long career and has received two Country Music Association Awards in recognition of his contribution to the genre.
Now, 45 years after presenting his first country music show in this part of the world, Nigel is delighted and proud to be bringing his ‘Country Express’ to Gen X Radio Suffolk.
Mark Eley
A Suffolk lad through and through, born and brought up in our County Town of Ipswich, where I still live today. My love for music started at a young age and has developed over the years into a very eclectic appreciation of all genres.
My radio carer started back and the tender age of 16 when I joined the team of volunteers at Hospital Radio Ipswich, something still close to my heart today some 20 years on! A few years later I joined SGR FM, initially as part of the Blackthunder street team before taking over the Saturday afternoon and Sunday Breakfast shows.
During my time at the station you would also hear me on the air at SGR Colchester and out on the roads with Radio Broadland in Norwich and further south with the team at Essex FM. When Heart arrived in East Anglia I spent many years working across the County in various roles.
When I’m not in a studio playing music and causing general chaos over the airwaves, you will find me not far from a fire engine, working as an Assistant Operations Manager for the London Fire Brigade and locally here with Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service.
Sarah Stamp and John Jackaman
Sarah Stamp
With a varied career history working in PR, marketing, events and politics, Sarah certainly knows how to talk! She is also is a huge music and radio fan and spent five years broadcasting on community radio and dabbling in voiceover work before joining the Gen X team.
Her other great love in life is food and drink which led her to her current role as Operations Director for Bury St Edmunds based Infusions Group and ICE Restaurant and Cook School. Along with her friend, John, she hosts the Suffolk Flavours food show on a Friday evening on Gen X.
John Jackaman
Suffolk born and bred, and a seasoned Chef over many years, John is passionate about good food and ingredients and is a leading figure on the Suffolk food scene. Having worked in a string of prestigious restaurants including The Dorchester and The Ritz as well as the Channell Islands and many in Suffolk itself, before starting the Infusions Group, which includes the ICE Restaurant and Cook School in Bury St Edmunds, hospitality runs through John's veins!
John is also a keen music fan with varied and eclectic taste and can regularly be found watching live music. John hosts the Suffolk Flavours food show on a Friday evening on Gen X with his good friend, talented radio presenter and exceptional businessperson, Sarah.
Helen Couch
Helen is an award-winning marketing and PR professional with over 20 years of experience in the communications and marketing sector.
In 2023, she established Henny PR & Marketing, initially as a freelance venture. By offering a broad range of marketing and PR support rather than specialising in a single area, Helen was able to create tailored strategies that met her clients' diverse needs.
This flexible and results-driven approach quickly led to increased demand, paving the way for the business to grow. Henny PR & Marketing now serves clients across multiple sectors, including logistics, hospitality, sustainability, legal, tech, financial, fitness, utilities, and insurance.
The business provides the full spectrum of marketing services, from digital campaigns and events to business development, general marketing, and PR. By delivering both strategy and implementation, they help businesses develop cohesive and effective marketing plans that drive results.
Sammie Farley
I am a Newmarket girl at heart, which is where I found my love for horses. Moving to Ipswich at the age of 7 my love has continued and I now own horses myself! Alongside owning horses, I work in Sales in the construction sector as well as having my own business HS Media (Film & Photo).
Now residing in Felixstowe, I have found my love and passion for keeping fit and healthy. More importantly, enjoying sport of any kind and having that sense of community. I have competed for Suffolk in Dressage myself, so to hear about others accomplishments and journeys is very exciting!
I am a sucker for a bit of Jazz/Blues …give me a tequila, a Jazz bar and I'll be there all night!!
Nicki Bannerman
Nicki has a background in marketing (music film and entertainment) and broadcast journalism and a passion for soul music and feel good stories. She lives in Suffolk.
As a broadcaster she has produced and presented radio and podcasts.
As a writer she has ghostwritten several biographies and writes for Happiful magazine.
Huge passion for music festivals, swimming, singing, travel and voices tourist trains in Norway, walking tours London and Suffolk and for hotels in London
Looking for stories about wellbeing, art, culture, foodie and life hacks, fitness, retreats, living life and bringing smiles to Suffolk.
Lee Hunt
Based in the lovely riverside town of Woodbridge Lee hosts our Travel Show and brings you all the latest travel news, some great holiday offers and the chance to learn about destinations in the UK and around the World.
Nick Coady
Nick was born and bred in Ipswich. He worked at Radio Orwell and Saxon Radio in the eighties producing radio commercials, as well as presenting the Wednesday Rockshow.
Over the years Nick interviewed many rock legends, and gave local bands a prominent platform to help launch their careers and to keep music live. Nowadays Nick is a full-time voiceover artist, composer and musician, recording and producing voices and music for radio & TV campaigns worldwide. He presents the Classic Rock Show on GenX Radio Suffolk.
Nick is huge animal-lover, motorcyclist and licensed ham-radio operator.
Tim Gough - 1967-2022
Tim was Suffolk born and bred, and grew up in a village close to Bury St Edmunds.
His radio career has spanned over a quarter of a century, and began at Radio Orwell in 1986. He went on to present the breakfast show on Saxon Radio and SGR-FM, as well as appearing on Smooth Radio and various other radio stations in the East Midlands. The breakfast show on GenX Radio Suffolk was first time Tim had got back behind the microphone in over a decade.
Tim sadly passed away suddenly October 24th 2022 but will forever be a part of GenX Radio Suffolk