The winners of the Ones To Watch Awards 2026 have been revealed, celebrating emerging talent across radio, television, online media, comedy, podcasting and the wider creative industries.
The awards recognise individuals who are making a growing impact in their fields, with categories spanning broadcasting, digital content, performance and production.
This year’s winners highlight the breadth of new voices shaping the future of UK media.
Best YouTube / Online Personality
- Lina Lifts
- Charmaine Hayden
- Kayne Kawasaki
- Kyra Bruce
- Max Wood
Best Radio Presenter
- Chloe Rivers
- Chrissy Cameron
- Lashana Camille
- Louise Parker
- Michelle Nwaesei
Best TV / Online Presenter
- Andrea ‘Rea’ Nzeribe
- Brooke Morgan
- Jae Monae
- Miss Vickz Ldn
- Jameel Shariff
Best DJ
- DJ Renz
- DJ Donch
- Rxwntree
- Super Midz
Best Comedian
- Bampherr
- Papz
- Khaos with Kez
- Joseph Charm
- Joa Brown
Best TV / Film Director
- Always AK
- Daniel Glenn-Barbour
- Eric Myers
- Johnfa
- Nafeez Ahmed
Best Actor / Actress
- Adi Alfa
- Bijou Baidoe
- Lydiaaa Hopgood
- Victoria Nwaesei
- Micah Tsekiri
Best Poet / Spoken Word Artist
- Bethlehem Wolday-Myers
- Chloe Tenesha
- Just-ori
- Aicha Therese
- Griot Gabriel
Best Podcast
- Extremely Certified Podcast
- Got a Problem – Word on the Curb
- Mates with Mics Podcast
- Nani Talks Podcast
- The Black Circle
One of the winners, Chloe Rivers, is a presenter and producer at Suffolk Sound Radio, based in Felixstowe. Before moving into radio, Chloe spent over a decade working as a journalist and picture editor at The Times, The Mirror and The Sun, she now brings a newsroom-driven approach to broadcast interviews and media coverage.
Speaking about her rise in radio, she said: “Without sounding cliché, being a mum of two while juggling working life is hard and it’s easy to feel invisible once you reach a certain age.
“Being recognised for my hard work feels amazing. I’ve worked tirelessly to bring the best celebrity interviews to local radio.”
BBC Radio Suffolk presenter and producer Louise Parker also made the list. Louise has been recognised for her on-air presence, storytelling style and early impact in the industry.
Before entering broadcasting, Louise spent over a decade running a design studio, working across the UK and internationally. Her work was featured in publications including Elle Decoration and Vogue, before she made the decision to retrain in radio.
Louise told RadioToday: “Starting again in radio was genuinely terrifying at times, but it also felt like coming home. Changing careers and trusting my gut was a big leap, and winning this award feels like proof that it’s never too late to begin again. You don’t have to have it all figured out to be heading in the right direction.”
The Ones To Watch Awards continue to spotlight emerging talent and provide a platform for the next generation of voices across broadcasting and digital media.