Ronnie Wood joins Radio Festival line-up

Absolute Radio presenter Ronnie Wood has been added to the programme for this year’s Radio Festival taking place in Salford in November.

The Rolling Stones guitarist – now an award-winning radio presenter – will be interviewed on stage by Melvyn Bragg.

We’re told Ronnie will talk about his life as a rock superstar as well as the transition into a multi-award winning radio presenter.

Ronnie picked up prizes at this year’s Sony Radio Academy Awards – as well as at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards – for his show on Absolute Classic Rock. The show is currently being turned into a ten-part TV series for Sky Arts.

Ronnie said: “I’m really excited about being part of the UK’s premier Radio Festival and look forward to chatting with my old pal Melvyn Bragg about my life and career in music, and now as an award winning broadcaster.”

Perhaps most well-known for presenting ITV arts programme The South Bank Show, Melvyn is also a regular on Radio 4, having previously presented Start The Week for a decade in the 80s and 90s.

John Myers, Chief Executive of The Radio Academy, said: “Ronnie Wood’s contribution to music as a member of three of the world’s super-groups is legendary and his rock ‘n roll lifestyle has also become the stuff of legends! He has now proved he also has a gift for radio by developing a fantastic and unique show which reflects his larger than life persona and love of music.”

John added: “Ronnie Wood has been called many things during his career but bland has never been one of them and this interview, giving an insight into the many ups and downs in his life and chronicling his hugely successful move into radio, will be anything but. I am certain this meeting of two icons will be one of the highlights of the Radio Festival.”

Find out more here about the full programme for the festival, which takes place at The Lowry theatre on Salford Quays from 31 October to 2 November.