richie travel radio 2

Who is Richie Anderson? Everything you need to know about the Strictly star

The contestant is a tv and radio personality.

Richie Anderson is just one of the 15 contestants taking to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom this year in the hopes of lifting the iconic glitterball. 

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But how much do you know about the BBC radio and TV personality? Find out everything you need to know about the star here…

WATCH: Are you excited for the new season? 

Who is Richie Anderson? 

Richie is best known for his radio and TV stints and currently presents the weekday travel news bulletin on The Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Zoe Ball. 

He kick-started his career on BBC Radio West Midlands back in 2015, where he hosted his own show until March 2020. Before becoming a presenter, he reported on football matches for the station and was known as 'Roaming Richie' for his vox pops with fans. 

As for his TV appearances, the 34-year-old has occasionally featured as a reporter on The One Show and previously contributed as a guest reviewer on Strictly 's spin-off show, It Takes Two . 

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Richie is clearly a man of many talents as he is also a former Sunday League footballer and played for Coombs Wood F.C. 

Richie is a TV and radio presenter

Is Richie Anderson married? 

Richie is not married. In a special segment for The One Show back in 2018, he came out as gay to his teammates following a football match. 

Addressing the camera before speaking to his fellow players, he said: "It's funny really because in every other part of society, I'm out and proud. My friends know, my family know, but as soon as I'm here on a football pitch, it just feels like a taboo."

The radio reporter was met with a round of applause and plenty of support from his teammates. 

The cast of  Strictly 2022

What has Richie said about joining Strictly? 

Speaking to the BBC, Richie said: "This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world! Strictly is the ultimate feel-good show, as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it's just pure escapism. 

"I'm going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I'm sure my friends and family will understand. It’s also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it’s so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show."

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Richie Anderson Wiki, Age, Husband, Parents, Family, BBC Salary, Net Worth, Height, Partner, Married, Gay, Asian, Nationality

Table of Contents

Richie Anderson Biography – Richie Anderson Wiki

Richie Anderson is an English television and radio presenter. He’s an RTS award-winning presenter best known for his well-established role on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show, presenting the travel bulletins as well as hosting a wide variety of his own shows. In May 2022, he traveled to Turin to cover the Eurovision Song Contest for the station. A regular presenter on The One Show, he is often seen on BBC One and was proud to be part of the channel’s recent Platinum Jubilee coverage.

He joined BBC Radio 2 in 2019 as a travel news reporter for the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show as well as the mid-morning show hosted by Ken Bruce on the popular radio station.

Anderson started his radio career on BBC Radio WM shortly after completing his University of Leeds’ journalism degree – initially providing reports from football matches before becoming a presenter. He left in January 2021 to concentrate on his Radio 2 career in London. He said: “I was at university when I first wrote to WM to see if I could do some work experience and it all started from there – I’m so glad they took a chance on me.

“I used to have a cassette player and would tape the ‘It’s a goal jingle’ and pretend to be Paul Franks hosting the football phone in handing over to commentator ‘Reago’ (Mark Regan).

“The next thing, I’m meeting the people I’d grown up with idolising and found they were all a great team – Franksy’s voice is so distinctive and he’s such a lovely man.

“When I joined, the first time I tried to do a vox pop (asking people questions in the street) I had the settings wrong and we couldn’t use what I’d got, but everyone was so lovely about that.

“I got the chance to do seven early-morning Saturday breakfast shows from 5 am to 6 am and absolutely loved it and cried in the office when they told me I could do a Saturday afternoon show, I just couldn’t believe I’d been given the opportunity.

“I’ve always found people really willing to help and offer advice, whether at WM or Radio 2 and I think that’s really important.

“There are some great people coming through there now like Henry Liston and Rakeem Omar.”

Richie Anderson Age

He was born Richie Stephen Anderson on 13 October 1987 in Smethwick, Birmingham, England.

Richie Anderson Parents

Anderson’s parents are based in Smethwick. “Dad fixes windows and doors and mum works in a cash and carry. They’ve both keen key workers all along and they gave me my work ethic.”

Richie Anderson Family

Anderson grew up with his brother Jordan in Smethwick where his family still live.

Richie Anderson Gay

Presenter Richie Anderson is openly gay. He came out to his Sunday league teammates at Coombs Wood FC in a short film for The One Show in 2018. The film was an important piece of television that won an RTS award.

“I’ve always played football, but I’ve actually left teams and moved on in the past when I thought teammates might suspect I was gay, so this was a big deal for me. I’m so proud of it. The response has been amazing and if it makes even one person feel like it’s going to be okay then it’s worth it.”

Richie Anderson Husband

Is Richie Anderson married? Anderson is in a relationship with his partner Dean Eagles. They have been together for 10 years and recently celebrated their 10th anniversary in Italy.

On July 23, 2022, Anderson shared about the romantic getaway on Twitter, writing: “This time last week, me and my Dean were sailing the Mediterranean on the beautiful @CelebrityCruise celebrating our (early) 10 year anniversary. We had the most amazing adventures #holiday #summer #SaturdayMotivation.”

Richie Anderson Strictly Come Dancing 2022

BBC Radio 2 presenter Richie Anderson is the third celebrity contestant confirmed for the twentieth series of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning entertainment show will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its 20th series in September 2022, once again bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the nation.

Anderson said: “This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world! Strictly is the ultimate feel good show, as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it’s just pure escapism. I’m going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I’m sure my friends and family will understand. It’s also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it’s so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show.”

Anderson will become the third celebrity contestant to compete as part of a same-sex couple, following Nicola Adams and John Whaite.

He said: “I remember watching Nicola Adams do it a couple years ago and John Whaite last year, and I remember just thinking – me growing up when I was coming to terms with what I am or what I’m not – it would have been amazing for me to see something like John and Johannes and Nicola and Katya on such a big show.”

Richie Anderson Strictly Come Dancing Partner

The show has yet to reveal which pro dancer will be partnered up with Anderson, but those announcements are typically saved for a closer date to the season premiere. Anderson will partner up with a male professional dancer. He’s following in the footsteps of season 18 stars Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, as well as season 19 runners-up John Whaite and Johannes Rabede.

Richie Anderson Nationality

Anderson is of British nationality.

Richie Anderson Accent

Richie Anderson speaks with a Midlands’ accent. He is proud of his accent: “The great thing about a Midlands’ accent is that people do know where you are from and it’s really friendly, too. I love accents like the one Alison Hammond has and will never water mine down and never change it for anybody. I am really proud of how I speak.”

Is Richie Anderson Asian?

Anderson is English. He was born in City Hospital.

Richie Anderson Instagram

Richie Anderson’s Instagram is @iamrichieanderson .

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BBC Radio 2 presenters: past and present

There have been many BBC Radio 2 presenters since the station first aired on the 20th of September 1967, including the late, great Steve Wright and Paul O'Grady to name a few.

Whether you're a regular listener or simply interested to learn more, here are the regular hosts and presenters of BBC Radio 2.

Current BBC Radio 2 presenters 2024

Bbc radio 2 presenters: female.

Zoe Ball is one of the Radio 2 morning presenters, hosting The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show that airs weekdays at 6:30-9:30am. She also has a podcast on the same channel called Zoe Ball and Friends, where she chats with celebrity guests.

In the late 90s, she became the first female to present the BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 breakfast shows.

She has also appeared on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Gogglebox with her son Woody.

Sara Cox started her career presenting TV shows. After successful stints on BBC Radio 1, she started covering shows for the likes of Claudia Winkleman, Janice Long and Ken Bruce on Radio 2, before landing a regular show.

She is currently one of the BBC Radio 2 drivetime presenters on Monday–Fridays.

Presenter and DJ Jo Wiley is an evening presenter on Radio 2. The description of her show states that she "plays her favourite album tracks and some musical gems rarely heard on Radio 2".

Liza Tarbuck

Liza has worked on BBC Radio 2 for over 15 years, with stand-in shows and special Christmas episodes. In May 2012 she took over the 6pm-8pm slot from Alan Carr and Melanie Sykes.

Fearne Cotton

Author and broadcaster Fearne Cotton presented her first BBC Radio 1 show with Reggie Yates.

Since 2020, she has committed to the show Sounds of the 90s on Radio 2 and strolls down memory lane with her guests.

Elaine Paige

Singer and actress Elaine Paige hosts her radio show from on Radio 2 which celebrates the best of Broadway, Hollywood and the West End.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

You can catch this singer-songwriter's show Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Kitchen Disco on BBC Radio 2. It's full of funky, upbeat tunes.

BBC Radio 2 presenters: male

Jeremy vine.

In 2003, Jeremy Vine took over the weekday lunchtime show after standing in for Jimmy Young on several occasions. His show includes Monday health and Friday legal advice sections and features guests such as Martin Lewis and general practitioner Sarah Jarvis.

Jeremy took the stage in 2015's Strictly Come Dancing and his partner was professional dancer Karen Hauer.

In 2012 Vernon Kay left BBC Radio 1 to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Matt Edmundson. He did some cover work for Rylan Clark and Steve Wright.

Fast forward to 2023 and Vernon Kay took over BBC Radio 2's mid-morning show from Ken Bruce (who moved to Greatest Hits Radio ).

Scott Mills

Scott Mills is one of the BBC Radio 2 afternoon presenters, who permanently replaced the Steve Wright in the Afternoon show.

He has also worked closely with Chris Stark on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 5 Live.

You can listen to Scott's afternoon show or listen to the best bits on The Scott Mills Weekly Podcast .

Dermot O'Leary

TV presenter Dermot O'Leary has hosted his fair share of radio shows and is currently one of the BBC Radio 2 morning presenters. He also sits in for Zoe Ball when she's on holiday or taking a break.

Rob Beckett

Comedian and co-host of the Parenting Hell podcast Rob Beckett brings his quick wit and energy to Sunday evening shows on BBC Radio 2.

Romesh Ranganathan

In April 2024, comedian Romesh Ranganathan will join BBC Radio 2, in a Saturday slot that was Claudia Winkleman's.

Michael Ball

Singer, presenter and actor Michael Ball MBE appears as A BBC Radio 2 breakfast show presenter on his Sunday show.

He has appeared in many West End musicals including Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera.

Rylan Clark

Since appearing on The X Factor, Rylan Clark has worked on several reality TV shows including This Morning and Celebrity Big Brother.

He now hosts Rylan on Saturday for three hours a week on BBC Radio 2.

Tony Blackburn

DJ and singer Tony Blackburn has had multiple BBC Radio 2 shows including: Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn and Tony Blackburn's Golden Hour .

BBC Radio 2 travel presenters

Richie Anderson is a travel presenter for the station on weekday mornings. Sally Boazman does the weekends and Bobby Pryor does the weekend afternoons.

BBC Radio 2 traffic presenters

Bobbie Pryor updates us with traffic and travel news on the Simon Mayo drivetime show.

Arabella Horspool   is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets .

RICHIE ANDERSON

• BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show
• The One Show, BBC
• Strictly Come Dancing 202
• RTS Award Winner ‘Best Short Form Presenter’ and ‘Outstanding New Talent’ 2018

Richie Anderson can be found broadcasting to millions of people every morning on the BBC Radio 2 Zoe Ball Breakfast Show . He’s a regular face on The One Show hosting an array of VT’s from hard hitting topical stories to light-hearted comedy with one of his films on him coming out to his football team seeing him win an RTS award. In 2023 he also joined the cast of Channel 4’s popular Celebrity Gogglebox with friend and fellow Brummie Ellie Simmonds, as well as participating in BBC One’s, Celebrity Masterchef !

2022 was an exciting year for Richie as he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in the second all-male partnership for the show, as well as present backstage at The Queen’s Jubilee: Platinum Party at the Palace alongside Roman Kemp.

Richie has also taken the reins of shows including Scott Mills’ weekday afternoon show and Dermot O’Leary’s weekend breakfast show.

In 2020 Richie raised a whopping £877,000 for BBC Radio 2’s Sport Relief Challenge alongside Jo Whiley and Reverend Kate Bottley. The trio took on freezing cold open water swims, punishing cycle routes and energy sapping runs from Cardiff to Glasgow and ending in Manchester.

On a Saturday afternoon, you will often find Richie on the terraces at The Hawthorns, cheering on his beloved football team West Bromwich Albion.

Photo credit: BBC Radio 2

• Jadeen Singh - Agent