Elisabeth Mahoney 

Radio review: Gaydar Radio’s World Aids Day special

The show was full of funny banter and high-energy tunes – but there was no missing the urgent message, writes Elisabeth Mahoney
  
  

nick partridge gaydar radio review world aids day
Sobering statistic … Nick Partridge. Photograph: Martin Godwin Photograph: Martin Godwin

It was a World Aids Day special at breakfast on Gaydar Radio on Thursday. Hosts Neil Sexton and Debbie Ryan asked for bids for DAB radios signed by stars such as George Michael, JLS and Stephen Fry, with proceeds going to the National Aids Trust.

There was also a call from Wincey Willis before 8am. Willis is doing the station's alternative Queen's message this year, and offered to mention the name of the highest bidder for this prize within her broadcast. "Lizzie doesn't do that!" Ryan boomed, whipping up what excitement there might be.

Bidding started well, at £50, and soon reached £60. But then, in a slew of news about events across the country for the day, details of where to buy a red ribbon, and an interview with Nick Partridge of the Terrence Higgins Trust, Wincey got a bit lost and wasn't mentioned in the final hour at all.

Partridge brought a change of mood to the show with a sobering statistic: a gay man is infected with HIV/Aids every three hours in the UK. "HIV is so unfair," he said, "and it still makes me angry." The rest of the show was all funny banter and high-energy tunes, but there was no missing its urgent message – however upbeat the delivery over breakfast – to get tested, and stay safe.

 

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