Hands up (bums) if you like ventriloquists? Infuse Radio, the student radio station at South Essex College certainly does.
One of its presenters, Alex Holland-Martin, arranged for Steve Hewlett, the only ventriloquist to ever make it to the Britain’s Got Talent finals, to come onto his show. Steve brought along one of his main puppets, Arthur Lager, who of course caused all sorts of chaos and mayhem when ‘he’ was being interviewed.
Alex said: “The interview was originally going to be over the phone, but then Steve agreed to come so that was a fantastic opportunity for me and for the show.”
The Level 3 Extended Diploma Creative Media Production (TV and Film) student is no stranger to interviewing celebrities as he also recently spoke to Kiss 100 host and international DJ, Charlie Hedges, as part of his show, which was something of a dream interview as radio is an area that the 20 year old from Rayleigh wants to work in when he leaves the College in June.
Alex, who counts former self-proclaimed saviour of Radio 1, Chris Moyles, as his radio idol, added: “It was whilst having a tour round Southend Radio that I got bitten by the radio bug, I then found out that the College was starting Infuse Radio, I managed to get a show, and the rest is history.
“I really love presenting my show, I’ve learnt loads and it has really boosted my confidence. I also now present a show on Southend Hospital Radio, so slowly but surely you could say I’m starting to rule the airwaves. Interviewing the likes of Charlie and Steve are fantastic opportunities, so hopefully interviews like that and the experience I’ve gained at South Essex College will help me in the future.”
Watch this dial, as we’ve not heard (quite literally) the last of Alex Holland-Martin on the radio as he has just been offered a presenting role with brand new community station, Leigh FM.
But, fear not, you’ll still be able to catch him on Infuse Radio, which you can tune into term time weekdays, between 9am -5pm.
