Chris Moyles

Chris Moyles (born February 22, 1974 in Leeds), is a British radio DJ and presenter of The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1. He began his career in radio at the age of sixteen when he joined local station Aire FM. Over the next six years he worked on several other stations including Capital FM and Radio Luxembourg (as Chris Holmes). In 1997 he was voted one of the Faces for '97 by Sky Magazine.

Moyles joined Radio 1 on July 28, 1997. Labelling himself 'The Saviour of Early Morning Radio', he took the early morning four-to-seven slot. Within months, in May 1998, his work was recognised by the award of the Silver Sony Radio Academy Awards DJ of the Year, and within the year he was promoted to a Saturday mid-morning slot.

His next promotion came in October 1998 when he took control of the afternoon show. Moyles chose writer and sidekick David "Comedy Dave" Vitty, plus regular guests such as impressionist Jon Culshaw. He and his team soon attracted considerable attention and notoriety.

Moyles, unlike many current and former Radio 1 DJs, except maybe Chris Evans, derides listeners who enter the phone-in competitions he hosts. He occasionally asks female callers the size of their breasts, does not like young lads with a strong South-East England or Cockney accent and mocks people who he considers have dull, repetitive jobs with obvious sarcasm. Unsurprisingly, he has had dealings with the Broadcasting Standards Commission and Ofcom when at Capital FM and Radio 1, who have had complaints upheld such as when he threatened Dr Fox of Capital FM in October 2002 that 'I'm gonna tear his head off and poo down his neck', or in early 2002 saying he would take the virginity of Charlotte Church, when she reached 16. Competitions he has hosted have been 'Viaduct', which was based on a Two Ronnies sketch (itself based on Mastermind, with a specialist subject of "answering the question before the last"), and currently 'Car Park Catch-Phrase' where two listeners, inside their car have to beep their horn to guess a catch-phrase, which is hosted using voice samples from the Ulster comedian, Roy Walker. Even when simple catch-phrases are used and obvious clues provided by Moyles, many callers reveal their heart-breaking lack of education in failing to spot the correct phrase.

He has also branched out into televsion, though with less success. His own show on Channel five was a flop in the ratings, and Chris was soon replaced by Christian O'Connell. He has occiasionally presented Top of the Pops and has worked for Comic Relief.

After a successful first year, Moyles was awarded 'DJ of the Year' by readers of The Sun. More recent additions to his team include Big Brother addict Aled who (when the TV programme is running) informs listeners of the goings on in the Big Brother house, later replacing Lizzie as broadcasting assistant, and new producer Rachel after Will left to produce for the terrestrial television channel five. Will later returned as 'daytime producer' but has since moved on to work setting up online features for Radio 1, Promoting Aled to 'daytime producer' and Jocelin the 'On Air BA'. New addition Natasha joined the team from Zane Lowes show as 'daytime BA'.

After five years on drive time, on January 5, 2004, Moyles started presenting Radio 1's flagship programme The Breakfast Show, switching places with Sara Cox. He had appointed to increase the ratings for the show and did so, putting on an extra 700,000 listeners to the audience in the first quarter of 2004.

In October 2004, Moyles and the Breakfast Show team replaced U2's "Vertigo" at number one in the UK Official Download Chart with their download-only charity song "Dogz Don't Kill People (Wabbitz Do)", under the name "Mouldie Lookin' Stain". The song was a spoof of Goldie Lookin' Chain's "Guns Don't Kill People, Rappers Do" and proceeds went to Comic Relief.

External links

• BBC Radio 1 online (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/)
• Chris Moyles' minisite (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chrismoyles)
• Unofficial Chris Moyles fansite (http://www.chrismoyles.net)
• BBC Biography. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/radio1/chrismoyles.shtml)