5 minute read
JORDAN HUMPHRIES
from GNI MAG ISSUE 45
by GNI MAG
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BY GARY CAMPION
FOR THOSE READERS WHO DON’T KNOW YOU \ LISTEN TO YOU ON QRADIO (SHAME ON THEM!) INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL THEM A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
My name is Jordan Humphries, I’m 29 years old and I live in Lisburn. I co-host the Q Radio Breakfast show every weekday morning from 6-10am alongside Steve Turnbull.
YOU’VE BEEN THE FACE OF QRADIO BREAKFAST FOR SOME TIME NOW, DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A RADIO PRESENTER, AND WHAT TRAINING\ EXPERIENCE HAVE YOU HAD FOR THE ROLE?
I always dreamed of working in the media but always thought it would just be a pipe dream that would never be realised, as not many are lucky enough to work in this industry. I didn’t have any prior formal radio training as such but from a young age I had been a confident public speaker and participated in plays and musicals which I think really helped to build my confidence. Once I joined Q I was ‘shown the ropes’ and learned the technical side of things as well as learning presenter skills and picking up new tips- and I continue to learn every day, you’re never fully ‘done learning’ as a presenter.
WE IMAGINE IT CAN BE TOUGH GETTING UP SO EARLY IN THE MORNING FOR WORK AND LOOKING SO GLAMOROUS ALL THE TIME……TELL US YOUR MORNING ROUTINE FROM GETTING UP OUT OF BED TO BEING THE GLAMOROUS RADIO PRESENTER WE SEE ON QRADIO PRESS.
Oh my goodness, I couldn’t be further from glam when I rock into work in the morning (as Steve will happily tell you). I’m so low maintenance and I love my sleep so I shower at night and leave all my clothes sitting ready before I go to sleep so as soon as my alarm goes off I can bounce out of bed, throw on my clothes and go! I wash my face, moisturise, spray deoderant, brush my teeth and hide my hair under a hat then as the morning progresses I’ll gradually transform into a slightly more human state. My make up would usually take me 20 minutes for a full face but in radio we’re always very busy so I apply a tiny bit of makeup at a time in stages throughout the show when I get the chance. It’s a running joke that I never look the same at the end of a show as I do at the start.
DURING YOUR TIME SO FAR AT QRADIO YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH WITH THE STATION AND OUTSIDE THE STATION. TO DATE WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER AT QRADIO AND WHY?
This will sound really cheesy but the biggest highlight for me in my job is the job itself. I honestly can’t believe that I’m in the very fortunate position I’m in- to make a living chatting, playing music and having a laugh on the radio, it’s hard to get my head around! If I had to be more specific I’d say the Q Radio ski trip last February will forever hold some of my best memories- we did the show lives from Bulgaria and spent a week skiing and having the best craic with our listeners which was pretty unforgettable.
BEFORE QRADIO YOU HAD BEEN ON TAKE ME OUT, COUNTDOWN, THE CHASE AND YOU CONTINUE TO BE PART OF THE RAGANATION CREW…..HOW DID THESE APPEARANCES COME ABOUT AND HOW WERE THEY FOR YOU? WERE THESE APPEARANCES JUST STEPPING STONES TO BECOMING A NATIONAL RADIO PRESENTER, OR DO YOU ASPIRE TO GROW AND BREAK INTO TELEVISION PRESENTING EVENTUALLY?
Any gameshows I have ever appeared on I just went through the general application process online and just happened to have a number of successful auditions. I’ve always been a massive quiz show fan and the number I’ve been on is somewhat embarrassing! But they were all great fun and I had a ball, making some amazing friends along the way. I was on Take Me Out when I was 21 then got asked back to do a celebrity special of the show 4 years later (2016) so I got to see the production team again as well as meeting girls from other series. About a year later one of the producers contacted me to audition for The Ranganation, a topical comedy panel show on BBC2 and I’ve now been on every episode for the past 2 seasons, with a third airing soon. I absolutely love TV and wouldn’t rule out presenting in future but for now I’m very happy in radio, with telly as a fun sideline
YOU’VE JUST HIT 21K FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM AT THE START OF 2021 DO YOU THINK THIS IS A SIGN? YOUR INSTAGRAM STORIES AND POSTS ARE VERY ENTERTAINING BUT YOU ALSO HAVE A SERIOUS SIDE WHEN IT COMES TO GIRL TALK TUESDAYS. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FOR YOUR POSTS\VIDEOS FROM?
I’ve always loved entertaining people and social media is just an extension of that. It’s also a chance to be creative, whether that’s writing parody songs, making funny videos or orchestrating your own at-home photoshoot. I always try to make my content relatable, that’s what is most important to me. So if I’m posting a photo that’s particularly glamorous I’ll bring things back to reality with a self-depricating caption for example. I couldn’t really pinpoint where my ideas come from, sometimes something funny will just occur to me and I’ll let my imagination run wild. There’s certainly been plenty of time for that in lockdown!
TELL OUR READERS A LITTLE MORE ABOUT “GIRL TALK TUESDAYS” WHAT IS IT ABOUT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO DO IT?
I started the Girl Talk Tuesdays last year during lockdown because amidst my silly/ wacky content I wanted to use my platform to share more important messages as well, I wanted to engage with my female followers and share personal experiences and advice I thought they would relate to and the feedback I receive each week honestly makes me so happy. There’s so much strength in sharing vulnerability and uplifting others in the process- it’s all about letting people know that they aren’t alone and hopefully at times sharing some helpful advice
CAN YOU SUM UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE\POSTS IN 10 WORDS.
Glamorous but silly, funny but sincere, polished but chaotic...?!
AND FINALLY GIVE US ALL YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES FOR OUR READERS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW YOU YET.
Instagram: @jordanqradio TikTok (which I’m very new to and totally baffled by): @jordanqradio
