Besides The Spotlight

Finley is joined by Jon Kay, who has more than 30 years of experience as a broadcast journalist - reporting and presenting every kind of news story across the UK and around the world. Jon currently presents on BBC Breakfast, the UK's most-watched daily live morning show, hosting more than three hours of live television on the country's most-watched channel. The job includes breaking news stories, live questioning of senior politicians, handling a wide range of challenging, sensitive and complex issues, and interviewing members of the public from all walks of life and backgrounds - as well as decision-makers, business leaders and celebrities from the UK and around the world.

Finley is joined by Mike Sweeney, who is currently working at BBC Radio Manchester, hosting the mid-morning show Monday to Thursday from 10 am until 2 pm. He has won New York Radio awards, including a Sony in 2002 and Guardian Media Group's Presenter of the Year in 2009. The Radio Academy gave him a Lifetime Achievement award in 2011 and he was named The Variety Children's Charity Radio Industry Legend in 2012.

Finley is joined by George Painter, the Bristol Regional Deputy News Editor at Global, Europe’s largest radio company. He won a regional newsreader of the year award in 2023 at the Commercial Radio News Awards and he has more than 20 years experience in broadcasting and journalism.

Finley is joined by Ana Da Silva, a multimedia freelance journalist, passionate about giving local people a voice. Her work has been aired and published online across several radio stations in the Greatest Hits Radio and Hits Radio networks (part of Bauer Media), and more recently at BBC Radio Bristol. Before freelancing, which she started doing full-time in January 2022, Ana volunteered at a Bristol community radio station, BCfm, for over three years. At the same time, she was working in social media management and content creation at an award-winning employer brand agency in Bristol.

Finley is joined by Chris Arnold, a presenter, producer and journalist working across a variety of shows at BBC Radio Bristol. Roles include presenting the evening show, reporting from the radio car, pre-recorded/live interviews with guests, creating packages, providing travel updates, editing audio, booking guests and general assisting on shows across the week. Chris' role also includes occasionally working with BBC Radio Bristol's social media team as well as the BBC Inside Out West, BBC Politics West & BBC Points West television teams.

Finley is joined by Darren Deans, Head of Marketing at dock10, the UK's leading television facility which is based at MediaCityUK. The Studios at MediaCityUK and their specialist post-production services are used to make everything from popular television shows, including the award-winning drama Happy Valley, prime-time spectacular The Voice, iconic children’s favourite Blue Peter and the sports fan’s essential Match of the Day - to outstanding VFX based commercials and corporate videos for leading brands. Darren is a marketing communications broadcast industry specialist.

Finley is joined by Seb Bailey, who is still near the beginning of what is looking to be a very promising career in radio broadcasting and British nightlife culture. With a wealth of experience in the industry including covering breakfast shows on commercial radio and producing for some of the most respected radio presenters for multiple stations to performing in festival tents with capacity crowds. Currently based at Somer Valley FM, a community station in North East Somerset and presenting over 17 hours of radio a week, Seb has helped the station to develop their daytime output with beneficial adjustments to their music rotation and imagery as well as build the audience to their afternoon daypart with his entertaining and energetic on-air personality. As well as his commitment to Somer Valley FM, Seb can also be found covering for presenters across the Hits Radio Network on a regular basis and also on BBC Radio 1! Away from radio, Seb is the resident DJ at Ashton Gate Stadium, Sub13 in Bath and also Bristol's Venga Lounge. His focused and driven approach enables him to balance multiple responsibilities and thrive in high-pressure environments. In his career so far Seb's also worked with the likes of UKRD and Celador Radio. And can also be found at multiple festivals throughout the summer months, including Glastonbury and Secret Garden Party!

Finley is joined by Will Manning, an enthusiastic and creative individual with a deep passion for radio, music and presenting. Will has lots of experience in working and presenting in a professional radio environment as well as experience of working in other areas of digital media such as blogs, podcasts, online video and digital radio. As well as radio, Will also produced various voice-overs for TV. In addition, he has experience in club and live stage work and TV appearances on all main terrestial UK TV channels. Currently, you can hear him presenting on Capital from 4-7pm on weekdays.

Finley is joined by Liz Beacon, an established presenter and reporter for BBC Points West. Liz regularly presents the main evening programme, with other appearances on breakfast news and the 10 o'clock late update. Liz is often required to perform under pressure, react to changing scenarios, and interview guests, often having to ask tough questions and hold them to account.

Finley is joined by Emma Penry-Williams. She has worked in theatre, television and live production for over 20 years. She loves a challenge and is always happy to take on any project with professionalism, and a good dash of humour. She currently works as a Floor Manager on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.

Finley is joined by Adam Crowther who presents BBC Upload 7-10pm every weekday on BBC Radio Bristol - which he’s presented since October 2018. He has worked as a broadcaster and presenter across live events and radio as well as live streams and videos for BBC iPlayer. Adam has spent most of his presenting career championing new talent - from musicians to writers, comedians and bloggers, Adam loves celebrating talent. Adam is also an award winning social media expert. He’s managed social media brand accounts for the BBC (BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Breakfast and BBC Introducing in Shropshire) as well as a children’s charity in Birmingham. Adam has also created content for BBC Two and BBC masterbrand instagram accounts, covering premiers of Peaky Blinders and Blue Planet II.

Finley is joined by Nicki Ledgard, a breakfast producer for the BBC. When she was younger, she wanted to be a star on TV. After leaving university, she went and volunteered at her local BBC Radio Station. She now puts together 4 hours of breakfast radio on weekday mornings to deliver the latest news, weather, travel and sport, to put a smile on the faces of the BBC Radio Bristol audience.

Finley is joined by Andy Milligan. If you're a fan of 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here', the chances are you will have laughed along to any number of his one-liners. That's because he is the man behind pretty much every joke that has ever left the lips of everyone's favourite comedy duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly.

Finley is joined by BBC Radio Bristol's Breakfast Show presenter James Hanson. James will be leaving the BBC shortly but Finley wanted to have a chat with him before he does. Hear about James' journey, from community radio to BBC Local Radio.

Coming soon is a brand-new podcast hosted by Finley Ratnett. Fancy working in the media industry but don't know where to start? Hear Finley's conversations with industry professionals and find out how they got their foot in the door.