DJ Spoony BEM | |
|---|---|
 Spoony DJing at the Lewes Music Festival, 2022 | |
| Born | Johnathan St John Joseph 25 June 1970 Hackney, London, England |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website | djspoony.com |
Johnathan St John Joseph BEM (born 25 June 1970[1]), known professionally as DJ Spoony, is a British DJ and radio & television presenter. He is a member of the UK garage production trio, the Dreem Teem. Spoony also presents his BBC Radio 2 show The Good Groove.
Early career
[edit]Joseph was born in Hackney, East London[2] to British West Indian parents. As Spoony, his career started on London Underground (a leading pirate radio station in the mid-nineties), forming the trio the Dreem Teem with Mikee B (of Top Buzz) and Timmi Magic. With the Dreem Teem, he joined Kiss 100 in December 1997, followed by bringing UK garage nationally to BBC Radio 1 in January 2000. They went on to win a Sony Award in their first year.[3]
Solo radio work
[edit]He went on to host the Weekend Breakfast show on Radio 1 between October 2003 and September 2006. Listeners could join the Early Doors Club, play Judge Fudge, and become a Local Legend. Another long-running feature was Mills & Spoon (a nameplay on the Mills & Boon books), in which Scott Mills read out love stories every Sunday. On 31 July 2006, the BBC announced that Spoony was to leave Radio 1 after six years with the station to concentrate on Five Live work. His early breakfast slot was replaced by Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates.[4] He presented his final Radio 1 show on 17 September 2006.
He then commenced hosting 606 on Radio 5 Live as well as 'Spoony Meets...', a series of shows in which he interviewed various personalities from British football, including Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and David Beckham.
He joined BBC Radio 2 with a new show in February 2019. On 25 October 2021, he stood in for Steve Wright for one day only.[5] He has also deputised for Ken Bruce and Craig Charles on the station. On 22 July 2022, Spoony joined BBC Radio 2 permanently with The Good Groove broadcast every Friday from 9-11pm.[6]
In January 2025, Spoony moved The Good Groove from Friday nights to weeknights (except Fridays) from 10pm to midnight, replacing Trevor Nelson's Rhythm Nation, who moved to the afternoon slot.[7]
Television and film
[edit]As well as appearing on various television shows, he also had a role in the 2012 British drama film Payback Season.
Honours
[edit]Joseph was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to charities through music during the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
Personal life
[edit]Joseph is an ambassador for the Golf Roots Foundation and also organises an annual golf tournament at Stoke Park Club, Buckinghamshire.[9][10] He lives in Bedfordshire.[11]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Garage Classical (2019), Sony Music
Mixes/compilations
[edit]- Twice as Nice / Twice as Nice Ayia Napa (1999), React
- Twice as Nice pres. Essential Grooves (2003), Warner
Singles
[edit]- "Sweet like Chocolate" (featuring Lily Allen) (2019), Since 93
- "Flowers" (featuring Sugababes) (2019), Since 93 - UK Dance #26
References
[edit]- ^ "Whats On When - Thomas Cook - DJ Spoony". Whatsonwhen. Archived from the original on 15 May 2006.
- ^ "My Secret Life: DJ Spoony - The Independent". The Independent. 1 December 2007.
- ^ "Johnathan Joseph (AKA DJ Spoony) - MPC Entertainment". Mpce.com. 20 June 2022.
- ^ Radio 1 promotes Cotton and Yates BBC News, 31 July 2006
- ^ "DJ Spoony to make BBC Radio 2 debut - RadioToday". Radio Today. 7 February 2019.
- ^ "Major weekend schedule changes at BBC Radio 2 this summer - RadioToday". Radio Today. 8 June 2022.
- ^ "The Good Groove with DJ Spoony". BBC. 1 September 2024.
- ^ "No. 63918". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2022. p. N32.
- ^ "Golfshake Exclusive - Interview with DJ Spoony". Golfshake.com. 24 August 2011.
- ^ "DJ Spoony: A day on the fairways, a night on the tiles". The Independent. 8 June 2008.
- ^ "DJ Spoony and Mark Russell headline hometown Club Momacoca night". Bedford Independent. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- The Good Groove with DJ Spoony (BBC Radio 2)