KATIE BLAIR
Meet Ayr Hospital Radio’s Youngest Presenter
Johnny Ireland
Katie Blair may only be 11 years old, but she’s already established herself as a regular volunteer presenter for one of Scotland’s oldest hospital radio stations, a role she continues to enjoy despite now living overseas.
I caught up with Katie to learn more about her volunteering, for which she recently received a very special award.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, my name is Katie Blair. I was born in Scotland, but I currently live in Dubai.
What made you want to volunteer at Ayr Hospital Radio?
My school, Holmston Primary in Ayr, was visited by the team from Ayr Hospital Radio. We learned how to present a show, and what the system would look like etc. They organised a show just for us. Each student got their own slot and picked the music, and the shows were then played on air. My mum found out that you could volunteer with them, so I applied online. I had an online interview and a trial show. It was Burns day, so I focused on Robert Burns and all things Scottish, including Scottish artists. And the rest is history!
How old were you when you first volunteered for the charity?
I was 10 years old.
Were you nervous when you first started presenting?
Definitely! Especially when I was doing my first trial show. I was worried that I wouldn’t get to do it again if I wasn’t good enough.
What do you enjoy most about being a radio presenter?
I love all of it, but my favourite parts are discovering new music, even some oldies – who knew the Spice Girls were so good?! I love just being me, chatting a bit (I like to chat!), and making people happy.
Tell us about your appearance on Good Morning Britain – how did that come about?
On my 11th birthday my mum received a message that Good Morning Britain wanted me to do some filming for the 1 Million Minutes campaign. I couldn’t do it at the time, so they suggested having a segment on a later show.
What was it like to meet Lorraine Kelly?
It was incredible! She’s an idol of mine so I will never forget meeting her.
Tell us about the award she presented to you.
The award was for the 1 Million Minutes campaign. It’s for people who pledge their time to help combat loneliness. Sometimes, it’s just a friendly voice people need to hear. Interaction can take all forms. Even if it’s just me doing some brain teasers or a dedication on the radio, that person knows there is someone else out there and they’re thought about.
Would you like to make a career out of presenting?
Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a presenter or a journalist, it’s my dream job.
What kind of music do you play on your show?
I play a mix of music, some old songs and some new ones too. My Uncle Gary introduced me to some of the greats like David Bowie and The Beatles. I also love musicals, so I’ve been known to play music from Hamilton, Six and Wicked. I’ve also played Frank Sinatra for Granny and Nan as they’ll tune in to hear me, so I guess my music appeals to most age groups.
What advice do you have for other young people who would like to be a radio presenter?
See if there are any local stations, like Ayr Hospital Radio, nearby. Or you could start your own radio show or podcast. Just go for it!
If you could co-present with any radio or TV presenter, who would it be?
This is a tough one! Obviously, Lorraine Kelly… or Claudia Winkleman, because I love The Traitors.
