Twenty-one-year-old Chris Theodoros Ioannou landed the role after graduating from the University this summer with a first class degree.

Chris discovered his passion for radio when he carried out work experience at KISS FM when he was 14, shadowing presenters and Bedfordshire alumni Rickie Haywood Williams and Melvin Odoom.

This led him to join the University when he was 18, doing his live show on Radio LaB 97.1FM, the University’s community radio station.

“Whenever I would do what I thought was a decent link, I would pull it off the system and put together an audio demo of my best bits. One of the bosses at Capital heard one of my demos and invited me down to do a pilot. The rest is history,” said Chris, who is from Edmonton in North London

“I chose to study at Bedfordshire because it was one of the only universities in the country that offered the Media Performance course and I thought that that was the best course for me to study at the time,” said Chris.

As well as his new job, Chris has also been shortlisted for the Arts & Creative Radio of the Year category in this year’s Community Radio Awards for his radio drama Devolved, which aired on Radio LaB.

“The University helped me prepare for these opportunities because the facilities are of a high standard, much like a professional work place, and the time spent in the radio and TV studios during my three years of study gave me invaluable experience,” said Chris. 

Radio LaB Coordinator Terry Lee said: “Chris is a fantastic example of how raw talent, a positive work ethic and a winning personality can get you places in our industry. I’m so pleased we could be a part of his radio journey to Capital. We will all be cheering him on as his radio and audio career develops.”

Chris can be heard weekends from 12-4pm, and during the week covering for other presenters when they are away.