Josef Hollywood, a teenage radio prodigy from Irby in England, has ambitions to follow in the footsteps of the likes of James Corden after breaking onto radio airwaves in America here on Surf 97.3 FM. The schoolboy has been broadcasting locally since the age of 12, and he has dreams of going all the way to the very top. Hollywood, who goes to Christleton High School in Chester, says his dream all started with an unfortunate accident and a spell in hospital. “I had chronic nerve damage in my knee and ended up in Alder Hey. There I met presenters from Radio City and it went from there.” “I was 12 at the time, and got involved in a show called Teen Team, a show designed by teenagers, for teenagers, on Seven Waves Radio.

It was in June of 2015 when I got my big break, covering shows in England. “I co-host with Kev Seed on his breakfast show at 10am on Saturday and Sunday. So I am on seven-days a week.”He added: “I have family in Florida, so I asked them if they knew anyone or any radio stations that I could look around. So I flew over and I ended up going out for a month to stay with them.

“I went to a radio station called Surf 97.3, that’s in Flagler Beach, FL. USA. I spoke to their director Vern Shank, gave him some samples and a CV, and he was really impressed. “It was actually when Hurricane Matthew hit that I managed to get my chance. I sent them some of my recordings to use whenever they liked. They were surprised by how good the quality was, and how good a presenter I was and they offered me a slot.

For Josef, radio is just the beginning. The teenager has dreams of emulating TV stars such as Corden, who found success in the UK in the hit comedy Gavin & Stacey before moving to host the Late Late Show in the USA. Another idol for the youngster is Ryan Seacrest, radio DJ and the host of American Idol.“I like Ryan Seacrest, he is one of my inspirations. He does American Idol and hosted his own radio show when he was 20, he has his own production company. That gives me hope that there’s still time for me. “I’d like to try to break the UK first, try to get a break on TV. I’d like to try to get involved locally in TV shows and work my way up. “I’m trying to make my first steps in the television industry.”

Josef’s days are now spent getting up at 4am to help present and producea morning breakfast show - before his dad whisks him to school for 8.30am.Evenings are spent recording shows for his American audience on Surf 97.3 FM, with very little free time to speak of - but he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I don’t have a lot of spare time to chill and relax,” he says. “I DJ and try to work. I have quite a good following on Snapchat and I even got recognised in the chippie the other day! “It was only about 12 months ago that I realised that I do have talent. “Don’t get me wrong, I can’t sing and I dance like my dad - but people seem to like my personality. “I’m presenting radio not only in England too, and when I think about that it makes me smile.”

We here at Surf 97.3 FM are so thrilled to have the enthusiastic and talented DJ Josef Hollywood with us as part of our radio family. You can hear him Monday through Thursday nights at 8:00 PM EST right here on our station.