Vicki Blight
Vicki presents every weekday on Virgin Radio Anthems UK. She has been part of the Virgin Radio Pride presenting team for the past 4 years, with highlights including presenting ‘Quite A Queer Conversation’ with actress Rachel Shelley (The L Word) and hosting a LGBTQ+ Parenting show. Over the past 2 years, Vicki has presented the Breakfast show for Pride Vibes Radio in Ireland and Pride Lunch.
Vicki was one of the key presenters across Absolute Radio‘s network of stations for 6 years, winning a Sony Radio Academy Award whilst she was there. Throughout her career, she has broadcast on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music, Heart, XFM, Galaxy and BBC Radio Wales. She also presented in-flight radio shows for Qatar Airways and Oman Air.
It was at Cardiff University that Vicki got involved in student radio whilst studying Biochemistry and Medical Molecular Biology. She went on to win ‘Best Female Presenter’ at the Student Radio Awards in 2002. Being an accomplished compere, Vicki has hosted many live events including The Diana Awards, BBC Horizons, Champions League Final, 6 Nations, Hard Rock Calling Sessions, Hard Rock Rising – Global Battle of the Bands, Let’s Rock 80s music festivals, and Pinktober at the O2.
She’s also a very versatile and successful award winning voiceover artist with large campaign credits for brands including Schwarzkopf, Kingsmill, Metro Bank, iTunes, Disney and Spotify. She is one of the UK’s most familiar continuity voices. Narration credits include Secrets of the Garden, a six part nature documentary, and Channel 4’s Plastic and Proud, which won her ‘Best Narration’ at the 2018 One Voice Awards.
She is also involved with Diabetes charities, talking openly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic about her diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in early 2019. Vicki was named in the Western Mail’s Pinc List 2021 as one of the most influential LGBTQ+ individuals.
Q&A with Vicki
What does Pride mean to you?
Pride for me is a sense of belonging, but at the same time it’s having the freedom to embrace our differences. It’s the space to express ourselves, accept ourselves and should never be taken for granted whilst there are people in the world who wake up each day entertaining horrible thoughts because they don’t feel there is room for them in this world. That’s why Pride continues to be so important. Pride is the missing parent, the complicated sibling, the misinformed colleague, the awkward friend… Pride fills all of those places so that hopefully nobody needs to feel alone.
What are some ways the community can support Pride everyday rather than one month out of the year?
Be open with the people around you. Actively challenge any unconscious bias. Enjoy the fun and friendship of the scene.
What are the ways you like to celebrate Pride?
First and foremost I always like to use the time to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. It’s a time to connect with friends and encourage allyship. It’s a time for me to feel super lucky to have a wonderful same-sex family that I’m extremely proud of… oh, and grab a cocktail!
Music is such a big part of how we celebrate. What are some songs that are Pride Anthems for you?
Robyn – Dancing on My Own, Sam Smith – I Feel Love, The B52’s – Love Shack, Madonna – Vogue and Janelle Monae – Americans
What’s your favourite Pride memory so far?
They all end up merging into a fuzzy Pride feeling if I’m honest, probably because of the cocktails I mentioned! I’ve been lucky to experience many Pride celebrations in different parts of Europe and they all have shared a welcoming vibe. My favourite memory was probably my first Pride with my now wife – being able to comfortable walk around as a couple and feeling completely at ease. There’s no better feeling.
