Simon James and Hill

Simon James and James "Hill" Burrell are a radio duo who first began broadcasting on United Kingdom radio in 1993. After spells with Essex FM and Hallam FM in Sheffield, they made their name in the late 90s at Radio Aire in Leeds. Their afternoon programme was one of the most popular in the station's history and centred largely around catchphrase-based humour with characters such as "Lisping Fella", spoof sketches and quirky subject matter. In 1999, the programme received "Best Drivetime" at the Sony Academy awards, and the compilation cd "With A View What?" was released and distributed in local HMV stores.

2001 saw the pair move to Century FM in Manchester, principally to host drivetime, but also a Saturday night show which focused mainly on random conversation and phone contributions from the audience. This became a cult phenomenon and within a year had increased its listenership by 125%. In 2002, the pair received a second Sony award for "Best Daily Sequence programme".

The duo then moved to Virgin Radio to present a weekday overnight programme following on from "Jezza's Virgin Confessions". Again, the programme adopted a random approach with stunts, sketches and phone-ins, and received national press acclaim.

In 2004 they were heard on the Capital Gold, network, presenting a Saturday afternoon show.

Between early 2005 and July 2006, Simon James and Hill were part of a new initiative by the Local Radio Company to network their evening output, and were signed to present an independently produced show between 7 and 10pm on weeknights that was broadcast across all 27 of the group's stations. This featured new and alternative music together with regular high profile guests. It was recognised in 2006 with the pair's third Sony award, this time for "Best Interactive Programme".

On October 1st 2006, the pair launched Canwest's Original 106. They were the first voices heard on the Solent regional station at 11am

From January 21 2008, the duo hosted the drivetime show on Kerrang! Radio. The pair had worked at the station before, presenting the Sports programme of the station when Kerrang! Radio first launched in 2004.

Following the dismissal of presenter Tim Shaw, Simon James and Hill will now host The Morning After Show.

External links

* [http://rolandhulme.blogspot.com/2006/09/simon-james-overated.html "Simon James & Overrated at Militant Ginger"]
* [http://www.kerrangradio.co.uk/Article.asp?id=551817&spid=10482"Kerrang! Radio announcement"]