BBC hires its first full-time transgender radio presenter four years after she left her previous job and transitioned to a woman
- Stephanie Hirst, born Simon, to take over mid-morning Radio Leeds programme
- Her previous show Daily Dose was one of the most listened to shows in north
- Show will feature all things Yorkshire, combining music with entertainment
The BBC has hired its first full-time transgender radio presenter.
From next month, Stephanie Hirst, born Simon, will take over the mid-morning programme on Radio Leeds.
The role comes four years after she left her job at Globe Radio and transitioned to a woman after saying she spent decades knowing she was in the wrong body.
Her previous show Daily Dose was one of the most listened to radio shows in the north of England.
From next month, Stephanie Hirst, born Simon, will take over the mid-morning programme on Radio Leeds
Miss Hirst said: ‘I’m really looking forward to joining the team at BBC Radio Leeds. I’ve loved radio ever since I first stepped into a studio aged 12 and I’m incredibly grateful that I’ve been able to build a career doing what I adore.
‘After four exciting years of change I can’t wait to get back to doing what I love the most, talking to the people of Yorkshire on the radio.
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‘I’m beyond excited to be on air again in Yorkshire. I feel like I’m going back to where I belong.’
Her show will celebrate all-things Yorkshire, combining music with entertainment and high profile guests.
Stephanie's previous show Daily Dose was one of the most listened to radio shows in the north of England
It comes after Miss Hirst briefly presented a mid-morning show on BBC Radio Leeds last summer.
Yesterday, ITV host Lorraine Kelly, who the radio presenter has previously worked with, tweeted: ‘Congrats @StephanieHirst !!’.
Sanjiv Buttoo, Editor of BBC Radio Leeds, said: ‘Stephanie is back - and she’s on Radio Leeds. She’s one of the biggest names in the radio industry and I’m really thrilled that she’s joining my team of talented producers, reporters and presenters.
‘We know she’s popular with our listeners from the fantastic feedback we’ve already received when she stood in on the mid-morning show last year and we can’t wait for her to join us.’
Miss Hirst, known as ‘Hirsty’ on air, has previously spoken about her decision to change gender.
She said: ‘My first recollections are when I was about eight years old, I wore a girl’s roller skates who lived round the corner and it just felt right. Something immediately clicked and I don’t know what it was.’
She also told the Hull Daily Mail in an interview: ‘When I came out, it’s like my world turned into colour’ and advised others to “Always be authentic and never live a lie”.
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