Weekend Presenters

After training to become a health inspector and then managing a record store in Essex, John began his radio career at the BBC, as a clerk in the schools radio department of Radio 4 in London.

He later applied along with over 500 others to become record librarian at London’s biggest commercial radio station Capital Radio.  John landed the job and spent the next five years learning his trade.  Working alongside legends like Dave Cash (now on the BBC) and the late Kenny Everett, Alan Freeman and Roger Scott, the experience helped John to evaluate the art of one to one radio.  John went on to present a number of early morning shows at Capital.  He was also the resident DJ for the station’s road shows around London and the resident warm up DJ at Capital Radio’s Best Disco In Town Show at the Lyceum

In 1986 John moved his career into Essex, joining Essex Radio.  Over a 15 year spell Leechy became a household name in our county with his legendary evening soul shows and his soul night specials.

Soul music has always had a huge following in Essex since the early 1970’s and John’s shows attracted thousands of listeners every night.  The live monthly soul night specials in Basildon and Epping were always sell out events, with over 2000 people coming together for fun, dancing, the live radio show and live acts on stage.

British stars such as Soul to Soul, The Pasadenas, Loose Ends and Imagination together with US artists like Booker Newbury, Alexander O Neal and Alyson Williams, all appeared at the soul nights to help to break their music to a big audience

John left Essex Radio in 2000 and has been broadcasting in parts of Essex , London and Ireland on various stations.

His radio career so far, has been acknowledged with 11 World Awards, for professional excellence and outstanding achievement in broadcasting.  These awards include eight medals (four gold) at the Oscars of Radio in New York.  John is extremely proud of this recognition and fondly remembers his first trip to New York to pick a Gold Medal, as the highlight of his career so far

When John isn't on the air, his other interests include boating, fishing, horse racing, photography, most sports (watching these days)  politics, cycling, restoring vintage audio equipment and religion.  Not to mention his love of music and a collection of over 75,000 songs!

More about John...

• John is an Essex Boy through and through, he was born in Ilford and now lives in Rayleigh
• His first job was as a trainee health inspector
• His first kiss was when he was about 12
• The first car was an old Wolsley 1500 in blue, lovely car
• John thinks the first record he bought was Roy C Shotgun Wedding 1966
• His favourite place in Essex is Wallasea Wetlands, remote and beautiful, my secret place
• If John wasn't working in radio he'd probably be working in the music industry