Stephanie Hirst began her remarkable broadcasting journey at the exceptionally young age of 12, working behind the scenes at Radio Aire in Leeds. By age 16, her natural talent and determination earned her a coveted overnight show on the station, making her one of the youngest professional radio presenters in the United Kingdom. This early exposure laid a solid foundation for her future career, as she quickly mastered the mechanics of live radio production and built an engaging, relatable on-air persona that resonated deeply with local audiences.
Her major career breakthrough arrived when she took over the weekday breakfast show at Galaxy 105 (later Capital Yorkshire), transforming it into the phenomenally successful Hirsty’s Daily Dose. For over 11 years, the show dominated regional airwaves, capturing a massive, loyal following and winning multiple prestigious industry accolades, including Sony Radio Academy Awards. During this period, her exceptional talent was recognized on a national level, leading her to host Hit40UK, the UK’s premier Sunday afternoon commercial chart show, which reached millions of listeners across the country.
In 2014, Stephanie Hirst took a temporary step back from daily broadcasting to focus on her gender transition and personal well-being, returning to the airwaves a year later with an emotional interview on BBC Radio Manchester. She quickly re-established herself within the BBC ecosystem, hosting a variety of weekend and evening programmes for BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio Leeds, and regular television segments on programmes like The Jeremy Vine Show and ITV’s Lorraine. Her return was widely praised by the industry and audiences alike for its authenticity, resilience, and warmth.
Today, Stephanie Hirst remains a vital voice in British media, broadcasting nationally across major commercial networks. She presents Belters on Hits Radio, a highly energetic show dedicated to massive dance anthems from the 90s, 00s, and 10s, alongside Spinnin’ the Decades on Greatest Hits Radio, where she showcases her deep musical knowledge by mixing classic tracks entirely from original vinyl. With a career spanning more than three decades, her versatility continues to secure her status as one of the UK’s most enduring and beloved radio personalities.
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