Get to know Greatest Hits Radio presenter Simon Mayo
Find out more about the radio legend right here...
Having had a long and wealthy broadcasting career spanning over four decades, we were excited to welcome Simon Mayo to our fantastic Greatest Hits Radio presenter line-up in September 2020. The author and presenter has even had his achievements recognised with an MBE for his services to broadcasting and charity.
Simon Mayo hosts the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show on Greatest Hits Radio every weekday from 4-7pm and you can also listen to him on The Album Show every Sunday at 1pm, where Simon celebrates the biggest albums of the 70s, 80s and 90s.
To help you get to know him a bit better, as well as what to expect from his radio shows, we've pulled together some interesting facts about Simon Mayo, including where he's from and what he's up to now...
Who is Simon Mayo?
Simon Mayo is an English radio presenter and author who has worked in the radio industry since 1982.
When is Simon Mayo's birthday?
Simon Mayo was born on 21st September 1958, making him currently 65-years-old. In 2022, he gave a birthday shout-out to Stephen King and Bill Murray to the soundtrack of 'September' by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Matt Williams was on hand to make sure Simon was wished a happy birthday too!
Where is Simon Mayo from?
Simon was born in Middlesex but spent his time growing up in the West Midlands. He now lives in London with his family and adorable dog Lyra.
How did Simon Mayo get into radio?
Simon’s mother was a huge influence on the presenter’s career, as she worked part-time in radio, having experienced it with her he wanted to work in the industry.
His first job in radio was at Southlands Hospital Radio before moving to the BBC where he hosted a number of shows and worked for many years.
In 2020, Simon joined Greatest Hits Radio to host his now famous Album Show every Sunday at 1pm, before also returning to daily radio and The Simon Mayo Drivetime Show in March 2021 - which you can hear 4-7pm weekdays.Â
Check out this photo of Simon Mayo and Jackie Brambles from 1990!
When is Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits Radio?
Simon Mayo is the Drivetime host on Greatest Hits Radio, where Simon plays the music that defined his career every weekday 4pm-7pm.
When it was announced that he was the new Drivetime presenter, Simon Mayo said: “Returning to Drivetime is so very exciting for me. It’s a show I loved so much and now on Greatest Hits Radio we intend to make it even better and with Matt Williams back on sport, we can’t wait to get started. The message of the show is the same - enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think!"
You can also hear Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits Radio every Sunday for The Album Show from 1-4pm.
Who is on the Simon Mayo show?
Simon is joined on his Drivetime show by Matt Williams with the sports news, Nigel Barden with delicious recipes, and Producer Suzi who keeps everything running smoothly!
Does Simon Mayo still do Confessions?
He does! Simon Mayo asks the Greatest Hits Radio listeners to confess their sins in Confessions, so write in and Simon will read your confession out on air and you can get it off your chest.
Watch Simon Mayo read a listener's Confession on the Drivetime Show:
What is Simon Mayo's 'Shelfie'?
Regular listeners of Simon's show on Greatest Hits Radio will be familiar with the Shelfie - where listeners send in photos of their record shelves!
What does Simon Mayo do now?
Legendary presenter Simon Mayo currently hosts shows here on Greatest Hits Radio. You can catch him on weekday evenings in his Drivetime show as well as on Sunday afternoons with The Album Show.
As well as being a presenter, Simon is also an author and continues to publish new books.
Can I listen back to Simon's shows?
Yes you can! They are available on our app for 30 days.
How do I download the Greatest Hits Radio app?
You can get the free Greatest Hits Radio for your Android device here and for your iPhone or iPad here.
WATCH: Get to know Simon Mayo!
Simon told us more about himself, including amazing and embarrassing moments from his career, and his favourite artists and music. Watch it below!
Simon Mayo and Ken Bruce's friendship
Simon had a warm welcome for Ken Bruce after he joined Greatest Hits Radio in April 2023. Simon celebrated the news with a special theme on his 3 Word Tuesday segment. He read out listeners' reactions to the news which included 'New Scottish Guy’, ‘Ken Bruce Legend’, and ‘What’s the Frequency?'.
To mark six months of Ken Bruce being on Greatest Hits Radio back in October 2023, we sent Simon to conduct his probation review...
Is Simon Mayo an MBE?
Yes, Simon is a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. In June 2021, Simon was recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list and was awarded an MBE for his services to broadcasting, having worked in the industry for nearly 40 years.
He said: "I have to admit I am gobsmacked. Totally speechless. Which is a poor show for a broadcaster really. I feel very fortunate and privileged to have some of the best and most loyal listeners out there.
"And all I can promise Greatest Hits Radio listeners is that we’ll keep the shows coming, that they’ll be as good as ever but now with an extra gong!"
Which TV shows has Simon Mayo hosted?
Between 1995 and 1998 Mayo presented a TV version of his popular radio feature, Confessions. From 1999 to 2001, Simon Mayo was the original host of the National Lottery game show Winning Lines.
In 2005 he presented a series The Big Dig on BBC about allotments in the Rhondda Valley contrasted with others in Highgate, London, he also hosted a revival of the classic quiz show Blockbusters in 2012.
Also in 2012, Simon Mayo was the announcer for the concert celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
Which books has Simon Mayo written?
It’s no secret that Simon Mayo is a lover of books - he even hosts a literary podcast. As an author himself he has written many books including Classic Confessions, based on the hit feature from his radio shows and the novel series Itch, which has now been made into a children’s action-adventure TV show.
Simon’s book collection also includes novels Knife Edge, Mad Blood Stirring and Blame. In August 2022 he published thriller novel Tick Tock.
Knife Edge TV series
Simon's book Knife Edge is being made into a TV series and we asked him who he would love to have cast as main character journalist Famie Madden: "Well, if it was entirely down to me, I mean, there's so many great women who could play the role. I would offer it first to Carey Mulligan. I think she'd be fantastic. Yeah, I think I'll speak with her. She's capable of so many different roles basically, and I think she'd be sarcastic and difficult. I don't do casting and these things will come with a price tag. So I'm not taking over the role of the producer."
Is Simon Mayo a grandfather?
Yes! Simon announced the lovely news that he had become a grandad on Father's Day 2022, he wrote in a tweet: 'I have, rather wonderfully, spent Father’s Day becoming a grandfather. Or (as they say in Denmark) bedstefar (you don’t pronounce the ‘d’). Welcome Oscar. May you be a blessing.'
Congratulations Simon!
Is Simon Mayo on Twitter?
He certainly is and he often posts about his Greatest Hits Radio shows. You can keep up with Simon on Twitter here.
Who has been on Simon Mayo's show?
Simon has been joined by a number of famous faces on his Greatest Hits Radio Drivetime Show, check out some of the interviews below.
Simon Mayo talks to Shania Twain about her new music
Shania Twain joined Simon on his Drivetime show to chat about her new song 'Waking Up Dreaming' as well as the possibility of a UK tour. From talking about riding horses into shows to wearing extravagant eyelashes, it was quite the chat!
Simon Mayo catches up with James May about The Grand Tour
As The Grand Tour returned for season five with a dramatic first episode in Scandinavia, Simon got chatting to presenter James May about the making of the show.
As well as explaining how he managed to crash his car on the show, James also chatted to Simon about The Beatles, and Sunday drives.
Simon Mayo chats to composer Tim Minchin about Matilda the Musical
Tim spoke about working on Matilda the Musical, including the impact of Covid-19 on production and seeing the actor's performances.
Where can I listen to Greatest Hits Radio?
As well as listening to Greatest Hits Radio on your radio, you can also find us on your smart speakers, on our website, on our app and on your smart speakers.
Can I listen to Greatest Hits Radio on my phone?
You can play Greatest Hits Radio through our free app.
Get the Greatest Hits Radio for iPhone and iPad
Get the Greatest Hits Radio for Android
Can I get Greatest Hits Radio on my smart speaker?
You can play Greatest Hits Radio through your smart speaker by saying to your device: "Play Greatest Hits Radio".
How do I make a Greatest Hits Radio account?
To get all the benefits of logged-in listening you'll now need to create a Greatest Hits Radio account to listen to all your favourite shows on our website or on the app.
Find out how to set up an account as well as all the benefits here.
Find out more about the Greatest Hits Radio presenters:
Ken Bruce
Greatest Hits Radio is the home of the legend that is Ken Bruce, weekdays 10am-1pm - including PopMaster, the UK's biggest music quiz for 25 years and counting.
Find out more about Ken and PopMaster.
Simon Mayo
Simon Mayo hosts Drivetime every weekday at 4pm and The Album Show on Sundays from 1pm.
Simon said of his Drivetime show: "I think the thing about Drivetime is that it is like the flip side of breakfast. You kind of know what an awful lot of people are doing, it's the end of most people's day, they're doing some final bits of work, they're shutting the laptop, they're doing a bit of food preparation, they're driving home. I think it is that sense of camaraderie, it's the end of the day, people want to be cheered up and they want to spend some time with some decent folk on the radio!"
Find out more about Simon Mayo here.
Paul Gambaccini
Paul brings us his famous America's Greatest Hits programme every Saturday between 5pm-7pm, featuring two hours of the Greatest Hits that made it big in America.
Sharing some of the things he loves about his show, Paul said: "Radio is the perfect form of one-to-one communication. TV can be direct, too, but the camera operator is always in your line of vision! I enjoy sharing my favourite music, and my admittedly freakish knowledge of it, with people who care about that music. I love the opportunity for challenging talk overs, too!"
Find out more about Paul Gambaccini here.
Alex Lester
The Dark Lord keeps you company in the small hours. Join him for the Music Marathon from 1am and the Best Time Of The Day Show 4-6am weekdays.
Alex brings: "Your favourite songs. Bizarre insights and unusual thoughts," to his show and told us that he loves that during his show: "It's just the two of us. You and me. (Against the world)."
Find out more about Alex Lester here.
Jenny Powell
Jenny plays the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s on Greatest Hits Radio to kickstart your weekend, every Saturday and Sunday from 6am.
On Jenny's show, listeners can look forward to The Breakfast Club, which she says is: "A warm-up for the weekend, full of positive vibes and feel-good factor when you wake up on Saturdays and Sundays. I insist you have a dance with me on the Kitchen Disco, I share some fun news stories from the previous week on The Headliners and get you smiling no matter what, sharing some of my favourite tracks from the 70s, 80, and 90s."
Find out more about Jenny Powell here.
Andy Crane
Join Andy's late-night community of music and company, Sunday-Thursday at 10pm.
Andy has three hours of the biggest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s as well as The Top 10 at 10 and Midnight Music Marathon. His show is full of: "Great music and plenty of laughing."
Find out more about Andy Crane here.
Martin Kemp
Join Martin Kemp with The Mix Tape every Friday from 7pm!
Martin has got "the perfect soundtrack to start your weekend," and his show includes: "All the biggest songs of the 70s 80s and 90s that we grew up listening to on full volume. I'll give you TV recommendations for your weekend, there's always a slow dance at the end, and I turn the decks over to you to pick your favourite songs. Plus plenty of stories from my career in music, film and TV. We always have a good laugh and the music is absolutely popping."
Find out more about Martin Kemp here.
Jackie Brambles
Jackie Brambles hosts The Evening Show every Monday to Thursday from 7pm - 10pm.
Jackie promises to deliver: "Great music and great conversations! Every night we're joined by one of your favourite artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s for an in-depth chat about the highs and lows of their careers and their musical influences over the years."
Find out more about Jackie Brambles here.
Kate Thornton
Catch Kate Thornton on Saturdays from 7pm! It's the best night of the week - so if it's a kitchen disco you're after, Kate will make it fun and have you dancing and laughing with her perfect blend of playlist and good times chat.
Kate explained what listeners can expect from her show: "It's the kind of show that lets you know it's Saturday night, no matter where you're listening in from and no matter who you're with. Three hours of songs that make a night in feel like a night out if you're with friends, or offers up the soundtrack for the perfect party for one if you're tuning in alone."
Find out more about Kate Thornton here.
Richard Allinson
Richard Allinson is live on Greatest Hits Radio on Saturday afternoons from 1pm with the perfect Soundtrack of the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s and weekend anthems.
Speaking about his show, Richard said: "The idea is to recreate all those great memories I have of Saturday afternoons growing up, a bunch of us meeting up to buy clothes, records, maybe sort a date…everything happened on a Saturday and we remember the records we played at that time."
Find out more about Richard Allinson here.
Des Paul
Join Des for Rhythm Of The Night every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm, where he plays all the greatest soul, funk, disco and Motown hits to start your weekend.
Des explained what he loves the most about his show: "The favourite bit of presenting Rhythm of the Night is when listeners contact me to say how much they've loved hearing a particular track and then tell us all about when and where they used to hear it."
Find out more about Des Paul here.
Now read:
Simon Mayo returns to Drivetime with Greatest Hits Radio
Do you have a confession to make? 👀
Get to know Nigel Barden from the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show
Get to know Matt Williams from the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show
Simon Mayo in conversation with Shania Twain about touring and her new music
James May joins Simon Mayo to talk about The Grand Tour season five