I was invited live on BBC Radio 1 with Matt and Jerry

Some dreams feel so big that they almost seem untouchable. They sit at the top of your list, the ones you daydream about, manifest, and work tirelessly towards, but you never quite know when or how they’ll come to life.

For me, that dream has always been BBC Radio 1.

From as early as I can remember, Radio 1 has been the station. The sound of my mornings, the background to my best nights out, the place where music and personality collide in the most effortless, electric way. It’s the gold standard of radio, home to some of the most talented broadcasters in the industry, and the ultimate goal I’ve been chasing.

So when I was invited to be the judge for Matt and Jerry’s Battle Tracks live on Radio 1, it wasn’t just a fun little moment. It was huge. It was one of those "Oh my God, pinch me" moments. The kind that makes you stop and think, this is exactly where I’m meant to be.

There’s something about the build-up to going on air that is just electric. The phone call from the show's producer alone is one of the best bits. You answer and suddenly you hear the show playing through your phone’s earpiece, it’s surreal it’s almost like stepping into the radio itself. And then comes the ultimate buzz. That unmistakable Radio 1 jingle plays, and you know this is it. The moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment you’re about to be heard by millions.

Being live on air on the world’s biggest show

When the mic went live, I could feel the adrenaline kick in. It’s that mix of excitement and nerves that makes live radio so addictive, but you can’t overthink it, and you can’t second-guess yourself. You just have to go with it and trust that your instincts (and personality) will carry you through.

Matt and Jerry brought their A-game, hyping up their track choices with everything they had. Their energy was infectious—bouncing off each other, throwing playful digs, and making their cases like their entire reputations depended on it. And I had the best seat in the house, soaking it all in, knowing that in just a few moments, I’d have to make the call. Now, you’d think choosing a winner would be easy. Just pick the track you like the most, right? Wrong.

It’s Radio 1. It’s live. And the moment you realise that both of these presenters genuinely want to win, the pressure is on. There’s an art to making these kinds of decisions on air. You can’t just say, "Yeah, I liked that one more." You have to make it entertaining. You have to sell it. You have to justify your choice in a way that keeps the momentum going.

And honestly? I loved every second of it.

As the feature wrapped up, I took a second to let it sink in. I was on Radio 1. I was talking on Radio 1.

It’s one thing to dream about being on a station like this. It’s another to actually hear yourself on air, bouncing off presenters you’ve admired for years, being part of the magic that makes the station what it is. And if that wasn’t enough, Jerry even said to me off-air afterward, "You even linked into the song for us!" That might not mean much to some, but for me, it was everything. Linking into a track smoothly is what great radio is all about—it’s what I’ve trained myself to do. The fact that they noticed? That’s the kind of validation that fuels the fire even more.

I’m manifesting being at that Radio 1 desk…

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not one to sit around waiting for things to happen. I work hard. I push myself. I grab opportunities with both hands and run with them. So let’s just say… this isn’t the last time you’ll hear me on Radio 1.

I’m coming for it.

A massive thank you to Matt and Jerry for making me feel so welcome and letting me be part of the chaos. You guys are legends. And of course, a cheeky little shoutout to BBC Radio 1—I think we can all agree this was just a warm-up, right?