Christian O'Connell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian O'Connell
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O'Connell in September 2008
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Christian Liam O'Connell
7 April 1973 Winchester, Hampshire, England
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| Years active | 1999–present |
| Known for | Presented the breakfast show on Absolute Radio until 18 May 2018. |
Christian Liam O'Connell, born on April 7, 1973, in Winchester, England, is a well-known British radio DJ, TV host, writer, and comedian. He now lives in Australia. He hosts The Christian O'Connell Show, which is a popular radio program. You can hear it on weekday mornings on Gold 104.3 in Melbourne. It is also replayed in the evenings on Gold 104.3 in Melbourne, Gold 101.7 in Sydney, KIIS 97.3 in Brisbane, Mix 102.3 in Adelaide, and 96FM in Perth.
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Christian O'Connell's Radio Journey
Christian O'Connell started his radio career in 1998 with The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show. This show began at a local radio station in Bournemouth, England. He then moved to bigger cities like Liverpool in 2000 and London in 2001.
His show became a national program on Virgin Radio in March 2006. This station later changed its name to Absolute Radio in September 2008. In May 2018, Christian O'Connell and his show moved to Australia. He started broadcasting from there.
Comedy and Awards
Christian O'Connell has performed at the International Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Festival. He had sold-out shows there in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He also hosted comedy shows for charity, like the MacMillan Cancer comedy show in 2016. He hosted the Stand Up to Cancer show at the London Palladium in November 2017. From 2013 to 2017, he was the host of the Q Awards.
Moving to Australia
In February 2018, Christian O'Connell announced he was leaving Absolute Radio. He moved to Australia to host the breakfast show on Gold 104.3 in Melbourne. His last broadcast in the UK was on May 18, 2018. He started his new show on Gold 104.3 on June 4, 2018. This new show included his popular quiz called "Yay or Neigh."
In April 2020, ARN announced that The Christian O'Connell Show would be heard across Australia. It started airing for one hour on weeknights from April 27. The show is on Gold 104.3 in Melbourne, Gold 101.7 in Sydney, KIIS97.3 in Brisbane, Mix 102.3 in Adelaide, and 96FM in Perth. In November 2023, ARN shared that Christian O'Connell's contract was extended until 2029.
Christian O'Connell's Life
Christian O'Connell was born in Winchester, England. He grew up in a council estate there. His father, who was of Irish background, worked for Ford. His mother was a nurse for the NHS. Christian's grandmother on his mother's side was Indian. She met her husband, who fought with the Gurkhas in Burma and India.
Christian O'Connell is married and has two daughters. He went to the Henry Beaufort School and Peter Symonds College. Later, he studied at Nottingham Trent University. He is a fan of the Premier League football team Southampton F.C. and the Australian Football League team Melbourne Demons.
Early Jobs and Radio Beginnings
Christian O'Connell's first job was as a dustman in Winchester when he was 16. He started working in radio at 2CR Radio in Bournemouth in 1998. He then moved to Juice FM in Liverpool in 2000. He also hosted Fighting Talk, a sports game show on BBC Radio 5 Live, from 2004 to 2006 and again in 2013–14.
He hosted the Breakfast Show on indie music station XFM London from January 2001 to October 2005. While at XFM, he held a songwriting competition for listeners. They wrote an England team song for UEFA Euro 2004. The song, called Born In England, was recorded with help from bands like Supergrass and The Libertines. It was released under the name "Twisted X" and reached Number 9 on the UK Singles Chart.
Christian O'Connell joined Virgin Radio in January 2006. He celebrated his 10th year at Virgin (which became Absolute Radio in 2008) by giving his listeners free tins of food.
Christian O'Connell's Shows
- The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, 2CR FM, Bournemouth (1998 – January 2000)
- The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, Juice FM, Liverpool (January 2000 – January 2001)
- The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, XFM London, (January 2001 – October 2005)
- The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, Virgin Radio, United Kingdom (January 2006 – September 2008)
- The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, Absolute Radio, United Kingdom (September 2008 – May 2018)
- The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show, Gold 104.3, Melbourne, Australia (June 2018 – present)
- The Christian O'Connell Show, Gold 104.3 Melbourne, Gold 101.7 Sydney, KIIS 97.3 Brisbane, Mix 102.3 Adelaide, 96FM Perth (April 2020 – present)
Famous Guests on Christian O'Connell's Radio Show
Many famous people have been guests on Christian O'Connell's radio show. James Nesbitt, an actor and friend of O'Connell's, appeared on his XFM show in 2004.
In 2006, after his show became national, Christian interviewed Steven Seagal. O'Connell later said it was a very challenging interview.
David Cameron, who was a political leader in the UK, appeared on O'Connell's Absolute Radio show twice in 2009. In November 2009, actor David Tennant co-hosted the Absolute Breakfast Show with O'Connell for three days. Tennant also co-hosted in October 2010 and September 2011.
Australian comedy duo Hamish and Andy did a special joint broadcast with O'Connell on May 18, 2012. In 2016, O'Connell and Hamish and Andy worked together again for a two-day competition. Listeners competed to win a holiday in the UK or Australia.
Christian O'Connell's TV Appearances
Christian O'Connell has appeared on many TV shows. In 2003, he hosted Channel 5's Live With... show. He also presented the trivia show "Pub Ammo" in 2004 on the same channel. On August 7, 2004, he became the second host of the BBC Radio 5 Live show Fighting Talk. He also appeared on BBC2's Eggheads quiz show in 2005.
In May 2006, O'Connell hosted Sunday Service on Sky One. In June 2006, he started World Cuppa on ITV4. In November 2006, he was on the BBC TV game show The Weakest Link. He also appeared as a guest on Loose Women and Ready Steady Cook in September 2008 to promote his book. He was on Loose Women again in mid-2009.
In February 2010, Christian O'Connell was a presenter and interviewer for the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA). He returned to Radio 5 Live in September 2009, presenting The Christian O'Connell Solution. From January 2011, he hosted the Saturday morning show on Radio 5 Live. On January 18, 2015, O'Connell hosted An Evening with Top Gear live on YouTube. He interviewed James May, Richard Hammond, and Jeremy Clarkson about their upcoming show. On October 17, 2017, O'Connell took part in The Chase. In May 2019, he had a small role in the Australian TV show Neighbours. In 2020, O'Connell reached the third round of the BBC series Masterchef.
Awards and Achievements
Christian O'Connell has won many awards for his radio work:
- 2003: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for Best UK Breakfast Show of The Year
- 2004: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for UK DJ of The Year
- 2005: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for Entertainment Award
- 2005: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for National Breakfast Show of the Year
- 2005: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award For Best Competition
- 2006: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for Sports Programme (Fighting Talk)
- 2007: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for a Competition (Who's Calling Christian?)
- 2010: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award for Best Competition (Who's Calling Christian?)
- 2011: The Arqiva/Triple A Media Commercial Radio National Breakfast Show of the Year
- 2013: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award Music Radio Personality of The Year
- 2013: Sony Radio Academy Gold Award Best Use of Branded Content
- 2014: Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards National Presenter of The Year
- 2014: Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards Gold Winner Best UK National Breakfast show of The Year
- 2014: Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards Gold Winner Best Feature Award the 40 List
- 2014: Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards Gold Special Achievement Award
- 2016: Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards Gold Winner Best UK National Breakfast Show
- 2018: TRIC Winner Best Radio Programme UK
- 2018: Radio Academy Gold Award
