Get to know Simon Mayo
Find out more about Scala Radio's Simon Mayo.
Radio presenter Simon Mayo has been a presenter on Scala Radio since March 2019. He has a long and wealthy broadcasting career spanning over 40 years.
Hosting his show on Scala Radio on Saturdays, Simon's show is jam-packed full of Essential Albums that you need in your collection. Let's discover a little more about him...
Who is Simon Mayo?
Simon Mayo is an English radio presenter and author who has worked on radio since 1982. He joined Scala Radio in 2019.
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 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 BBC Radio Nottingham where he working for five years. In 1986 Simon Mayo joined BBC Radio 1 hosting weekend shows before being offered the Breakfast Show slot in 1988, where he worked for five years. He remained at the station until 2001 when he then moved to BBC Radio 2. He hosted various shows during his time there including The Album Chart Show and The Drivetime Show.
In 2019 Simon Mayo joined us at Scala Radio from 10am-1pm Monday – Saturday. Since then Mark Forrest has taken the reins of the mid-morning slot and Simon joins us every Saturday from 3pm.
In 2020 Simon joined Scala Radio Sister Station, Greatest Hits Radio for an album show on Sundays 1-4pm
When is Simon Mayo on Scala Radio?
Simon Mayo is on Scala Radio from 10am on Sundays. Simon Mayo's Essential Albums is the place to discover the ultimate classical albums to have in your collection.
Which TV shows has Simon Mayo hosted?
Between 1995 and 1998 Mayo presented a TV version of his popular radio feature, Confessions, which you may have heard on Scala Radio. In 1999 Simon Mayo was the original host of the National Lottery game show ‘Winning Lines’ until 2001.
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 which celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
What is Simon Mayo’s Confessions?
Confessions is a popular feature which first appeared on the BBC Radio 1 weekday breakfast show in the early 1990s, devised by Simon Mayo. When joining Scala Radio, Simon continued the feature.
He started the feature in 1990 partly due to the rising interest in his own Christian faith, and it caught on very quickly. Listeners would write in to "Father Mayo" and confess to their sins and Mayo would broadcast one to the nation over Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni's Adagio for Organ and Strings in G minor.
The feature was a huge success for Simon Mayo, even spreading internationally and one of the stories made the front page of The Wall Street Journal. Confessions spawned a successful spin-off book and, later, a BBC TV series.
Which books has Simon Mayo written?
It’s no secret that Simon Mayo is a lover of books, often talking about his favourite titles on Scala Radio. He also hosts a book-lead podcast. As an author himself he has written many books including: A Confessions series, based on the hit feature from his radio shows. 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.
Simon Mayo has also released a book with fellow Scala Radio presenter Mark Kermode called The Movie Doctors.
Take a look at our other presenters on Scala Radio
Weekday
Charles Nove at Breakfast, 7 - 10am - Monday - Friday
Start the day right with Charles, as he plays a blend of vibrant and soothing music for the morning and gives us a light and humorous look at the day's news stories.
Penny Smith at mid-mornings, 10am - 1pm
Penny Smith is the perfect accompaniment to your weekday as she brings you a mix of classical music and cultural guests, as well as live music every Wednesday in the Scala Sessions
Sam Hughes, 1 - 4pm - Monday - Friday & 6 - 8pm - Saturday
Sam kicks off the afternoon with musical escapism, playing both classical pieces you know and love alongside ones unheard anywhere else to get you through the day.
Richard Allinson, 4 - 7pm - Monday - Friday
Richard Allinson keeps you company with a great soundtrack to your afternoon.
Mark Forrest on Evenings, 7pm - 10pm - Monday - Thursday
Mark Forrest presents a music-focused evening show from 7pm Monday to Thursday
Classical Bangers with Darren Reddick, 7 - 10pm - Friday
Join Darren every Friday for three hours of uplifting classical favourites.
Saturday
Hannah Cox, 7 - 10am - Saturday
Enjoy calming and uplifting music with Hannah Cox every weekend morning
Angellica Bell, 10am - 1pm - Saturday
Ease into your weekend with Angellica Bell and her pals, tracks from the Album of the Weekend.
Mark Kermode, 1 - 3pm - Saturday
Tune in to Mark every Saturday from 1 - 3pm to hear a range of familiar film scores, new releases and more eclectic discoveries. Listen as he reviews the latest films, champions up-and-coming film composers and takes us on a journey through the film scoring process.
Jack Pepper's Culture Bunker, 3-5pm Saturday
Jack takes you on a two-hour musical journey exploring the people behind classical music, past and present. Welcome to the Culture Bunker!
Luci Holland's The Console, 5 - 6pm - Saturday
Join composer, arranger and sound artist Luci on 'The Console', as she delves into the realms of video games, looking at the ever-growing popularity of classical music in gaming soundtracks.
Ayanna Witter-Johnson, 6-8pm - Saturday
Join composer, singer, songwriter and cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson on Saturdays from 6pm
Saturday Night Scala with Darren Reddick, 8 - 10pm - Friday & 8 - 10pm - Saturday
Join Darren every Saturday for two hours of uplifting classical favourites.
Sunday
Hannah Cox, 7 - 10am - Sunday
Enjoy calming and uplifting music with Hannah Cox every weekend morning
Simon Mayo, 10am - 12pm - Sunday
Join the much-loved, award-winning broadcaster Simon Mayo on Saturday afternoons from 3pm as he explores the essential albums to include in your classical music collection.
YolanDa Brown, 12-3pm, Sundays
Saxophonist and composer YolanDa Brown OBE brings her unique style to Sunday lunchtimes from 12-3.
Jack Pepper, 3-5pm, Sunday
Join jack pepper from 3pm for an afternoon filled with classical music.
Sunday Night Scala with Darren Reddick, 8 - 10pm - Sunday
Join Darren every Sunday for two hours of uplifting classical favourites.