John Leech is an Award Winning Radio Presenter and Producer

with over 20 successful years in The Professional Broadcasting Industry

STATIONS

BBC ESSEX

Time Fm

Capital Radio London

Essex Fm

Invicta Fm

Corks 96Fm Ireland

Hertbeat Fm

Dream 107.7Fm

BBC Schools Radio

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 like Mike Childs and preseneters like the late Roger Scott and Kenny Everett, Dave Cash, Nicky Horne, Peter Young, Mike Allen, 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 win 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 London Media Company 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 5pm to 8pm followed by Leechy's Dance Decades from 8pm til 10pm, all live. He also presents Dance Decades on Saturday evening

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 every Saturday throughout the Summer of 2008 and started a new show in October 2009. (The SOUL KITCHEN) The programme is on BBC Essex every Saturday at 1pm and on the BBC I Player, if you should miss the show