Pride FM, the UK’s newest national radio station, has announced its first ambassadors: Caroline Paige and Bradley Riches.
Pride FM, which launched earlier this year, is dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ communities across the UK. It’s a national 24/7 radio station, available online, through a dedicated app and on smart speakers, with local opt outs also on DAB, where available, featuring tailored programming to support individual Pride events and celebrations across the country.
The new venture is the brainchild of CEO and founder John Dash, who shared his vision behind the brand: “Over the years, I’ve witnessed how radio has the unique power to unite and strengthen communities. Through conversations with Pride event organisers nationwide, it became clear that there was a strong desire for a dedicated radio service tailored to these communities.
“We’ve brought that vision to life, combining cutting-edge broadcast technology, online streaming, and production. I’m incredibly proud to have launched this new service. In today’s climate, there’s an undeniable need for more tolerance and understanding, and Pride FM was created with that mission in mind. We aim to tell local stories and amplify important issues on a national scale. All wrapped up in a fab schedule of music and entertainment”
The station is now also proud to reveal its first two ambassadors:
Bradley Riches is well known for his role as James McEwan in the Netflix teen series Heartstopper. In March 2024, he appeared as a housemate on the twenty-third series of Celebrity Big Brother, and has now been cast on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Bradley says that as a gay person with autism, he ‘found it hard to navigate’ a world that is fit for neurotypical people.” He says “I’m beyond excited and incredibly proud to be an Ambassador for Pride FM! The team is amazing, and they’re working tirelessly to spread the powerful message that Pride represents.”
Caroline Paige first joined the Royal Air Force in January 1980, serving 35 years as a navigator on fast jets and battlefield helicopters. In February 1999 she became the first openly serving trans officer in the British Armed Forces.
She flew air defence fighters, providing air defence of the UK and Falkland Islands during the Cold War, and deployed to Saudi Arabia during the build-up to Gulf War 1. In 1992, she volunteered for trooping helicopters, completing several deployments to Northern Ireland, and in 1995 she deployed to Bosnia with the United Nations, on a Rapid Reaction Force Operational Staff.
Her gender transition raised demands for her immediate dismissal, as ‘a liability and danger to personnel on operations’, but Caroline became a highly respected tactics specialist receiving several commendations for ‘exceptional service’ in Iraq and Afghanistan, including a CinC-Air Commendation in the Queen’s 2012 New Year’s Honours List. In 2011 she received a Permanent Under-Secretary MoD award for her trailblazing service and dedication to evolving tri-service transgender inclusion policy and support.
After retiring from the RAF, Caroline formed her own company, teaching tactics skills to European military helicopter crews, and as an inspirational speaker, championing diversity and inclusion with organisations across the UK and internationally, including the fight for military trans inclusion in the USA.
Her autobiography True Colours was published in 2017 and she is a co-author of the military LGBTQ+ anthology Fighting With Pride. She has written articles and blogs and participated in over 40 TV and radio interviews. Caroline co-founded Fighting With Pride, the LGBTQ+ military charity, with Craig Jones MBE in January 2020, and retired as the CEO in March 2025.
Caroline says “I’m delighted to be an ambassador for Pride FM. The station is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect with the Pride family – with individuals, communities and organisations – at a local, regional and national level.
“I look forward to working with the team and hearing more of ‘the sound of Pride’.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.