Clare McDonald chats with Kiss FM Presenter,
Charlie Hedges about Ibiza, her rise to stardom and
her favourite things.
Congratulations on your residency in Space, Charlie. Lets start with Kiss FM. There are a lot of kids out there who have just received their exam results. How have you gone from being a Harlow student to a Kiss FM presenter?
I was listening to the radio with my mum when I was younger, and we started chatting about radio and jobs and work, and I've followed my dream ever since then, really. Kiss is young, fun, fresh and real, and so are the listeners, it's also very interactive and it just seemed the best fit.
My advice to you kids out there... get loadddddds of work experience, get loads of contacts, work your butt off and most importantly have fun and you'll make it.
You’ve worked in magazine journalism as well as broadcast journalism, which do you prefer?
At the moment I prefer broadcast, I did print as a backup really as I used to work for a magazine and have done loads of work experience at newspapers too, when I was at school. I used to love print but I'd say for the moment I'm more broadcast.You are so chatty in the mornings, and they are early mornings, you sound so good! You must get nervous before you go live? Do you ever get to sleep?
Never nervous, nope! I just love talking and, believe it or not, I’ve always been a morning person and never minded getting up early!As soon as I'm up, I'm actually the happiest, sleeping bores me... ha ha! Some days I get home from the show, catch up with work, record mixes and then I'm out DJ’ing again in the evening and then back up and changed to go to the show again. I absolutely love doing what I do, so if some days I work a long day, I just get on with it and get a few extra hours sleep when I get some free time.
You’ve interviewed some pretty famous faces. Who scared you the most?
My very first TV interview was with Carmen Electra, though a few years ago. I was nervous then as I didn't know what to expect. But as I said, I now never really get nervous to be honest, as I have always tried to look at these interviews as speaking to normal people that have done well, like a lot of people in the world, the only difference being that the majority of the world knows them.Playing a set in a club is very different to the Kiss Breakfast Show. Do you prefer club DJ’ing to radio talk shows?
It's two total different feelings, to be honest. I love radio because I love to have a chat and have fun, and DJ’ing is just unreal. It instantly takes me to an amazing place.Has your DJ style fitted in at Space? It’s such a diverse venue and crowd, has it been challenging?
It has been amazing, a truly amazing experience. I had a great set here this summer playing alongside Carl Cox and FatBoy Slim; musically my set fits perfectly as I play heavy house, and in terms of the crowd for me it doesn't matter where you play in the world, it's like making a whole load of new friends. Music brings people together so as long as the music is right then, it'll be fun!You’ve come a long way since your beginnings in Essex, do you feel any different now that you’re a well known house-hold name?
Not at all, I've got the same group of mates I've had from nursery and secondary school, my family and everyone around me are too cool to let me change or feel different. What you hear on the radio is me, I don't pretend to be anyone else and that applies to my image too. I just try and enjoy my job and have fun really and not take anything too seriously.And FINALLY...
On your iPod?
Chase and Status.Kindle or book?
Book.Reading at the moment?
50 Shades... ’ain't we all!All time favourite Tune?
Insomnia by Faithless.Listen to to relax?
Prince or Paloma Faith.All time favourite place in Ibiza?
Space.If I say Essex, you think of?
Fun!