Huw Stephens (born 25 May 1981) is a Welsh radio presenter currently broadcasting shows on BBC Radio 1 and on BBC Radio Cymru. Stephens joined Radio 1 in 1999 at the age of 17 as part of the station's new regional output, where he hosted the Wales opt-out with Bethan Elfyn and became the youngest ever Radio 1 presenter. Before this he was a DJ on Rookwood Sound Hospital Radio in Llandaff, Cardiff.
Stephens is a fluent Welsh speaker and as well as on Radio 1, he is also a presenter of BBC Radio Cymru's music strand C2 on Monday evenings, previously at 10pm and currently at 7pm (although the slot is broadcast during summer 2015 by Gwyn Eiddior while Stephens broadcasts on Saturday afternoons). Stephens also presented Bandit, a television show on Welsh-language channel S4C which showcased Welsh language music talent, until it was taken off air in December 2011. He founded the "Boobytrap Singles Club", which released limited singles by Mclusky, The Keys and Zabrinski amongst others.
Stephens is one of the founders of Welsh language label Am, whose releases include Mr Huw, Radio Luxembourg and Threatmantics. In 2009 he released a compilation called "Music Sounds Better With Huw Volume 1" via Wichita Recordings on iTunes. It featured 21 up and coming artists including Gold Panda, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Banjo or Freakout and Young Fathers.
Links To Peel[]
John Peel's Interview On Bandit (S4C Music TV Programme)
During the early 00's, Huw Stephens interviewed Peel on the Welsh programme Bandit, where he asked him about his views on Welsh language music and Datblygu.
Peel mentioned on his 14 September 2004 show that Huw had sent him a Welsh language record by Kentucky AFC, from which a track was played.
In February 2005, Stephens gained a national slot when he became one of the replacements for the late John Peel as part of Radio 1's One Music strand, which was intended to keep the spirit of Peel's show going. Stephens took over the Tuesday night slot, with a remit to concentrate on 'indie' bands. Ras Kwame and Rob Da Bank took the other two midweek slots made vacant by Peel's death. In June 2007, the show was rebranded "BBC Introducing" [1] and the focus switched to giving airtime to brand new bands. Stephens went on to present the weekend afternoon show and a two-hour new music programme on Thursday evenings, as well as being regular daytime cover. Stephens now presents the 22:00-01:00 show, Monday to Wednesday.