Sheffield-born DJ to stand in for Radio 1 star Clara Amfo after successful festive season stint

A Sheffield-born DJ is to stand in for one of the stars of BBC Radio 1 after impressing bosses when he presented on the popular station over Christmas and New Year.
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James Cusack, aged 33, who is originally from Sheffield but now lives in Manvers, fulfilled the dream of a lifetime when he was asked to present on the network over the festive season.

However, he impressed controllers at the corporation so much they have now invited him back for another slot over Easter, standing in for DJ Clara Amfo on Monday, April 5 from 10-2.

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For James it marks the end of a rollercoaster year which has seen him lose live work due to the coronavirus crisis but achieve something he has been trying to do for as long as he can remember.

James Cusack at the Radio 1 studio.James Cusack at the Radio 1 studio.
James Cusack at the Radio 1 studio.

At Christmas and New Year, James was one of 28 DJs selected from well over 1,000 hopefuls to present shows across the Radio 1 schedule from daytime entertainment shows to specialist evening and weekend programmes.

Of these, fewer than 10 have been asked back to stand in for the station’s well-established stars this Easter, one of whom is James.

He said: “I didn't think they would get back in touch but they did. I really enjoyed the shows I did, especially the one on New Year’s Day as there was so much interaction with the audience.

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“Normally it might have been a quieter day but because no one had been out the night before we had millions of listeners and we were getting texts from all over the country.”

James Cusack will stand in for Clara Amfo on Easter Sunday.James Cusack will stand in for Clara Amfo on Easter Sunday.
James Cusack will stand in for Clara Amfo on Easter Sunday.

James started his radio career at Sheffield Children’s Hospital while still at school and has since gone on to stints at Capital FM and Heart where he works part time now.

In non-covid times he also does work opening for artists and DJs but that disappeared overnight a year ago as coronavirus decimated the live music industry.

“2020 was pretty rubbish with all the festivals being cancelled but Radio 1 getting in touch more than made up for it,” he added.

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You can hear James live on BBC Radio 1 on Easter Monday, April 5, between 10am and 2pm.

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