STATIONS

BBC ESSEX
Time Fm
Capital Radio London
Essex Fm
Invicta Fm
Corks 96Fm Ireland
Hertbeat Fm
Dream 107.7FM

EXPERIENCE IN FOLLOWING AREAS

Presentation
Show Production
Documentary Compilation and Production
Features Producer
Programming and Music Consultant
Music Librarian
Music Scheduling
Playlisting
Music Journalism
Researcher
Stage Management
Event Manager
On Stage Presentation (crowds 1000 to 40000)
Commercial Production
Station Imaging and Production
Aircheck Analysis
Presenter Training
Interviewing On Air

John began his broadcasting career at BBC Radio 4 as an Admin Assistant.
He later moved to Capital Radio in London.

John started out in the Capital Radio Music Library and he spent 5 very happy years at Capital Radio. During this time he helped produce shows and features and worked as a DJ at the legendary Best Disco In Town, at The Lyceum, in The Strand. He also hosted the Capital Fm Roadshows and presented Capital's early breakfast show at the weekend.

Leechy says

"I had a fantastic time at Capital and I laid the best possible foundations for my career, working at the station during it's best years, in my opinion. There was a real "buzz" at Capital in the 80's and working alongside managers like Tim Blackmore, producers such as Jon Myer and Mike Childs and preseneters including the late Roger Scott and Kenny Everett, Dave Cash, Nicky Horne, Peter Young, Greg Edwards, Alan Freeman, Richard Allinson and Graham Dene was a real learning exeprience. These guys brought a new style of presentation to radio in the UK, the art of one to one communication and I learnt so much from them

Whilst at Capital, John attended the National Broadcasting School in London, sponsored by Capital Radio. The Broadcsating School's Manager was Capitals original programme controller Michael Bukht, who awarded John with a credit diploma for his work

John moved to Essex Radio, in 1986, to gain further experience and present a weekend dance show, called Electric Boogie. It wasn't long before he was offered a daily show, on Essex FM

Together with Dave Gregory and Tony Monson, John hosted the legendary Soul Night Specials in Essex. This was the forerunner to Radio London's Soul Night Out with Tony Blackburn. The Soul Nights brought many big US and UK recording stars into Essex and attracted over 2000 people every month. Between 1987 and 1991 over 130,000 people attended these live shows

Leechy stayed with Essex Fm for fifteen years, he says

"I think I presented every air shift during my years at Essex Fm, apart from overnights, but it was my evening Soul and Dance show that really took off and made me a household name in The County"

This show went on to attain record evening audience figures for the station and won numerous industry awards.

Paul Chantler, one of nine PC's John worked alongside at Essex Radio, called John

"A legend in Essex and Beyond"

In his 15 years at Essex, he won 11 World Awards for his work, including 4 Gold medals at the Oscars of Radio, The New York Festival.

Whilst at Essex Fm, John was a consultant for the successful Vibe Fm East Of England licence application and he advised on Vibe Fm's initial music policy, as well as presenting shows for the station

The Independent station Essex Fm was taken over by GWR in 2000 and John left for new challenges. He joined the team at Chelmer Fm breifly. He was then caught up in another takeover as Chelmer Fm was sold to Tindle Radio, to become Dream 107. John took up the role as Head of Production and later Head of Music, whilst presenting their highly successful drive show

Leechy freelanced with the Capital Group and Invicta Fm presenting Club Invicta
in 2002

In July 2004, John was poached by the Sunrise Radio Group, who wanted John to come and present his own daily soul and r n b show again, this time to East London and West Essex on Time 107.5 based in Romford Essex

John currently hosts the daily Drive Show from 4pm to 7pm followed by Leechy's Dance Decades from 7pm til 8pm, all live and very interactive

In May 2007 John joined the BBC to host a series of summer soul shows and specials on BBC Essex.

Leechy returned to BBC Essex in October 2009 and now presents his SOUL KITCHEN every Saturday at 1pm. The show will be 4-6pm from May 14 2011. on BBC ESSEX 95.3 and 103.5
The programme is also available on BBC I Player.