Everything you need to know about Drivetime with Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits Radio

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think...

Author: Laura ThorntonPublished 4th Mar 2024

Simon Mayo is the Drivetime host on Greatest Hits Radio! Listen to Simon play the music that defined his career every weekday 4pm-7pm as well as features including Confessions, Drivetime Drama and 6.24 Dancefloor!

With an established community of listeners that have followed him across the years, Simon’s deep-rooted connection with his audience is unparalleled.

In June 2021, Simon was recognised in the Queen's birthday honours list and was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting, after working in the radio industry for nearly 40 years.

We asked Simon some questions to help you get to know him better. Keep reading to learn more about Simon and how to get involved with the show including Simon Mayo's Confessions, All Request Friday and guess the Drivetime Drama!

How do I listen to Simon Mayo's Drivetime Show?

Tune into The Simon Mayo Drivetime Show every weekday from 4pm on Greatest Hits Radio.

What time is Drivetime on Greatest Hits Radio?

Simon Mayo gets you home with his Drivetime show, Monday to Friday from 4pm - 7pm.

When can I listen to Simon Mayo on Greatest Hits Radio?

As well as hosting his Drivetime show from 4-7pm every weekday, you can also listen to him on Simon Mayo: The Album Show every Sunday from 1pm.

How to contact the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show

To speak to the show you can email: simon@greatesthitsradio.co.uk

Simon might be looking for shoutouts or other contributions, listen out on air!

If you have a Confession then there is a specific email for submitting them:

confessions@greatesthitsradio.co.uk

You can text the show by starting your message with the word SIMON and sending to 61054, charges apply.

What is Drivetime Drama on The Simon Mayo Drivetime Show?

Drivetime Drama is a feature where Simon, Matt Williams and producer Suzi act out a small scene that represents a song title and listeners have to guess the track.

Check out some of these Drivetime Dramas:

How can I get involved?

Listen along when Simon is on air from 4-7pm and if you've got a guess for the latest Drivetime Drama then you can call 0333 2020 402.

Does Simon Mayo still do Confessions?

Yes! Confessions are on Greatest Hits Radio!

When Simon Mayo was a young whippersnapper presenter, he received thousands of letters from listeners confessing their worst misdemeanours and closely kept secrets, begging for his forgiveness.

Are you saintly with no story to tell? Or maybe you have sinned… in which case we can help!

Read more about Simon Mayo's Confessions and how to get involved!

How can I get involved with Simon Mayo's All Request Friday?

Simon Mayo's All Request Friday kicks off at 5pm every Friday! If you want to pick a song, there's only one way to do it... call 0333 20 20 402. Lines are open on Friday from 3pm when we will be taking your requests.

Why is Drivetime so special to Simon Mayo?

Simon Mayo has been a familiar voice on Drivetime for many years. Here is why he thinks it is so special:

“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!"

He added: “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!"

Every week on Drivetime Simon also picks an Album Of The Week, and will play songs from that album throughout his show from Monday to Thursday.

Who is the chef on Simon Mayo's Drivetime Show?

The one and only Nigel Barden provides some brilliant recipes for you to try at home every Thursday on The Kitchen's Greatest Hits during the Simon Mayo Drivetime show.

What is Kitchen Greatest Hits?

Nigel said of the show: "I’ll be serving the finest version of a classic dish, so Kitchen’s Greatest Hits, starting off with a Steak and Ale Pie. I’m looking for recipes that are big on flavour, but don’t require a huge amount of preparation, what Simon calls the faff factor, which suits me as I’m more of a ‘One Pot Supper’ type cook.

"For every carnivorous dish there will be a veggie or vegan alternative and an alcoholic bevvie and soft drink to accompany them."

Get to know more about Nigel here or you can check out Nigel's delicious recipes here!

Why did Simon Mayo choose Drivetime on Greatest Hits Radio?

He told us: “I chose to do Drivetime on Greatest Hits Radio because I have some unfinished business there. I love doing drivetime and the chance to do it again was just too great an opportunity to say no to.”

Is Matt Williams on the Simon Mayo Drivetime show?

He sure is!

Simon said, "Doubtless going on and on and on about Liverpool and about how the central heating should only be turned on for an hour once a year but the rest will be great!"

Get to know more about sports presenter Matt Williams here!

WATCH: Get to know Simon Mayo

What is Simon Mayo's most embarrassing radio moment?

Simon is an incredible radio presenter and has been broadcasting for over 40 years. He told us his most embarrassing radio moment!

“I had a producer once who had arranged a birthday surprise to get Naomi Campbell to bring me a cake and it was live on the radio. I didn’t actually realise it was Naomi Campbell, I thought it probably was but the studio door opened and this glamorous woman came in bringing me a cake. I didn’t want to say Naomi if it wasn’t Naomi and my producer didn’t say. She was one of the most famous women at the time in the world, so I think you could probably say I was an idiot!"

Who is Simon Mayo's favourite artist?

This is a tough question!

“My favourite artist is probably Paul Simon. The first album I bought was Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ but I have everything that Paul Simon has ever recorded and I’ve interviewed him a number of times," Simon revealed.

He added: "I do think he is a genius, and I don’t think he is going to be making any more records, he has kind of retired now. I think for sheer consistency and quality, plus the ability to surprise you with different musical styles from recording artists around the world, I think I would say Paul Simon."

What was Simon Mayo's first gig?

He has been a huge Paul Simon fan for a very long time and he went to see him on his 'Live Rhymin' tour.

Simon added: "The first gig I went to, which I paid for, was Paul Simon at the London Palladium in 1975. It was £5 for the ticket, I was at school in Worthing and came up on the train after school to get to the London Palladium. I thought it was fantastic and I loved it.

"It was the Jessy Dickson singers playing support and doing some gospel back-up for him. I had to miss the encore because I had to get the last train home because it was a school night. That was my first concert and I loved it!”

If Simon could only listen to one song forever, what would it be?

“The idea of only listening to one song for the rest of my life, I mean that is just a terrible thought! But if I had to choose, then with weary predictability, it is going to end up being ‘Born To Run’ from Bruce Springsteen, just because it is, as the journalist David Hepworth described it, ‘lightning in a bottle’, it’s just one of those extraordinary records”

We're big Springsteen fans too, Simon!

How do I listen to Greatest Hits Radio?

Greatest Hits Radio is available in more areas across the UK than ever before. You can listen on FM, DAB digital radio, on your smart speaker, mobile device or on our website.

Here are all the ways you can listen to Greatest Hits Radio - including what to ask your Smart Speakers to play wherever you are.

How can I download the Greatest Hits Radio App?

Download the Greatest Hits Radio App on iOS.

Download the Greatest Hits Radio App on Android.

What music does Greatest Hits Radio play?

Playing the biggest hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s, Greatest Hits Radio is an uplifting and fun station that celebrates the good times.

With music from the most iconic artists of all time, including Stevie Wonder, Blondie, Queen, Prince, ABBA, George Michael, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston to name a few.

Who are the presenters on Greatest Hits Radio?

Greatest Hits Radio is home to some incredible presenters including Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier, Pat Sharp, Paul Gambaccini, Jenny Powell, Jackie Brambles, Rossie, Kate Thornton and Richard Allinson.

Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio

As well as all of our amazing presenters you can hear throughout the week, Ken Bruce is on Greatest Hits Radio - you can hear his show from 10am-1pm, with PopMaster at 10.30am.

Get to know more about our shows on Greatest Hits Radio:

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.

Mark Goodier

Mark has your weekend soundtrack every Saturday and Sunday 10am-1pm - including your chance to Guess The Year on The Top 10 at 10. Mark shared why he loves his show, saying: "Radio is intimate, it is a companion and there with you through life's highs and life's challenges – and Greatest Hits Radio will bring back the memories of the important times in our lives."
Find out more about Mark Goodier 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.

Read more:

All the ways you can listen to Greatest Hits Radio

Get to know Simon Mayo

Get to know Nigel Barden from the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show

Kitchen Greatest Hits: All the recipes the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show

Get to know Matt Williams from the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show

Get to know Producer Suzi from the Simon Mayo Drivetime Show

How to lissten to Greatest Hits Radio:

You can listen on DAB digital radio, online at www.greatesthitsradio.co.uk, or via the Greatest Hits Radio app. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying 'Play Greatest Hits Radio' on Alexa, or 'Play Greatest Hits Radio on tune-in' on Google Home.