Exciting new opportunities for Damon

Q: Damon, we’re very sadly losing you on the weekdays, but you’re still part of the Gold family! Can you tell us about your plans and your new afternoon drive show in Britain? It must be exciting to reaching new audiences in your “new” home, the UK?

Damon: Giving up my East Coast Gold weekday show has been an incredibly tough decision – especially after being at the station [East Coast Radio and ECG) for more than 30 years.  After that amount of time, the station and its people are like family to me … so I’ll still be involved when I take over the Saturday afternoon show. It's a new challenge which I’m super excited about and it also allows me the opportunity to still be part of East Coast Gold, which I adore and who I’ve been with since day 1. Forever Hits Radio is a commercial radio station here in the UK and I’ll be presenting their Afternoon Drive Show. The station has a really big listenership, and they play music from the 60s through to the 90s, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I’m also working at the airport (Bournemouth Airport) assisting passengers with special needs. I’ve always loved aviation and being a qualified trauma counsellor and having my pilots license, I feel like I’m now working in an environment where I can really use all my skills. Then I’m still on radio too - growing my audience here in the UK so it seems like a winning combination.

Q:  Radio has literally been in your life, and a part of you for the past three decades. What is it about radio that you love so much?

Damon: For me, it’s about keeping someone company, whether that means I’m on in the background while they work, or on while they’re driving to work. But I love it when someone comes up to me and says… “I specifically switched on to listen to you” or “I remember you spoke about” or “You said ….” Or “You really made a difference when you….” Then I know I’ve made a real difference in someone’s life.

Q: You are very much seen as a stalwart in radio. You have been a part of many KZN families and homes for decades with ECR and more recently, ECG. You have stayed relevant, winning your latest award in the 2021 Radio Awards. What is your advice to someone who would love to be a presenter at a radio station?

Damon: Passion is everything … and if you really want to make a difference, being a presenter isn’t something you can do half-heartedly. Being on-air also means you’re accountable for every word that comes out your mouth. You’re also a brand ambassador, someone who’s always in the public eye and a role model to many.

Best of luck to Damon for his new show in the UK. Catch him on East Coast Gold every Saturday afternoon from 2-6pm from 12 March, 2022.