Britain's youngest newsreader gets own show

Josh Tate presents Devon Review on Radio Exe

A teenager thought to be Britain’s youngest professional newsreader has been given his own New Year’s Day show on Devon’s Radio Exe.

Josh Tate, who was 16 when he joined the station earlier this year, is to present a two-hour special, looking back at some of his key interviews from 2023.

Former F1 champion Damon Hill and politics’ podcaster Alastair Campbell feature in the programme, along with a conversation with Exeter Chiefs’ fullback Josh Hodge, who outlines his aspirations for the Premiership rugby club, as well as his own favourite music.

Josh Tate made national headlines when he began reporting for Radio Exe, and was asked to read headlines for Times Radio ahead of prime minister’s questions at the time. He now reads news bulletins for the station three days a week, alongside his journalism studies at Exeter College and with the NCTJ.

He says: “It’s been an amazing year, and we’re kicking off 2024 with a Devon Review special. And with news of a possible spring election, I’m going to begin planning some youth hustings and political reporting, alongside the sports coverage I get involved in.”

Radio Exe’s managing director Paul Nero is full of admiration for the now-17-year-old. “Josh has developed his broadcasting skills, built his contacts’ book, and is rightly getting an early opportunity to try his hand at presentation. He’s full of programming ideas and we’ll be hearing more of him as the year progresses.”

Devon Review, with Josh Tate, is on Devon’s Radio Exe on Monday 1 January at 6pm.