The youngest presenter on Cheshire’s Mix 56, 10-year-old Reach member Melita is taking Cheshire’s fastest growing local music station by storm and loving her role as presenter on ‘Kids Live at 5’.
We caught up with Melita to find out how this amazing opportunity came about, how she works with mum Mika to write the show and what advice she’d give to her fellow Reach members who want to step into the world of TV or radio.
- Melita, congratulations on your new role, how did you feel when you found out you’d be hosting Kids Live at 5?
Thank you! I felt so happy because the role could have been given to anybody in the team and I felt so lucky that I was chosen. But I also felt a little bit nervous because it’s a big job.
- Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you enjoy doing when you’re not on the radio?
I really like being creative and I discovered a new skill last year – crocheting. I love it! It helps me to relax and exercise my hands too. I also really like drawing and reading, as well as performing in shows with my Stage School. The last show we did was Annie and it was so much fun. I was cast as the chauffeur.
- You’re just 10 years old which means you’re the youngest presenter on Cheshire’s Mix 56 — that’s awesome! How did the opportunity come about?
Elizabeth, the first presenter on the show, was leaving for university. I had already been part of the reporting team since I was 8 and had been sending a 40 second audio in for the show every week for 2 years. Elizabeth’s mum, the show’s producer, said she thought I would be great as the new presenter and asked if my mummy would like to take over her role too. It’s a lot of work, but a great opportunity for me, so my mummy agreed to learn the ropes.
- For those who haven’t heard the show yet, can you tell us what Kids Live at 5 is all about, and what kind of things can listeners expect to hear when they tune in?
Cheshire’s Mix 56 is currently the only radio station in the country that dedicates a whole hour-long show to kids AND features reports by kids only. The team consists of 30+ children between the ages of 4 and 16. It may even be the only show in the world (as far as we know). Every week there is a new theme! We share facts, stories, and tips. We play catchy pop tunes and great music that works well with each theme. The second half of the show has regular features such as a book review, local night sky/space facts, dinosaur facts, local sports report and a weekly joke. As well as a feature called Young at Heart where a grown-up shares some advice with the younger generation. Briony May Williams and Claire Cashmore have both been guests on the show for this feature and we have Alex Brooker joining us soon too!
- How do you prepare before you go live? Do you help come up with the ideas for each show?
Actually, the show is pre-recorded. I always giggle that it would sound funny if it was called “Kids Pre-recorded for 5”. The real name is much catchier, don’tcha think!? It might not be live, but I do still prepare for recording with some funny voice warm ups. Some names and words I have to say are big tongue twisters!
Mummy and I choose the themes each week and send a message out to the team on WhatsApp. They let us know what they plan to say and then send us their recordings by the following week. My mummy arranges everything into a good order with songs that we choose together. She has to check everything fits into the timing of the show and then I then I record my links. Finally, we send the plan and audio files over to the amazing tech guy, Alex, who mixes it all together ready for airing each Sunday at 5pm.
- Since presenting, do you have a favourite moment or segment from your time on the show so far?
My favourite moment was getting invited to review driving lessons for Kids with the Young Driver Scheme. My fellow radio reporter (and BFF) Beno and I each got to try out lessons for under 17s in a real car! It was amazing! I used a steering ball which was really cool. I even got to drive up to 40mph and parallel park!
- Hosting a radio show sounds really fun but also like a big responsibility! What’s the most challenging part of being a presenter for you?
Recording lots of links in one go can sometimes mean a few “Ox-car moments.” That’s what Mummy and I call the outtakes! One of the longest show links is of me introducing the regular reporters and one of those reporters is Space Oscar who tells us an amazing space fact each week. When I’m saying his name, I sometimes get really tongue-twisted and say ‘Ox-car’ instead! I then get the giggles!
Some of the other names and words I’ve stumbled over have made my mummy and I laugh for ages before we could start recording again. We have a whole folder of audio outtakes on our computer that are hilarious.
- Are you off to any star-studded radio events this summer?
Just this month I had the amazing opportunity to join the radio team at Deva Fest at Cholmondeley Castle and had a moment on stage introducing the headline acts. I even got to go back stage! It was so exciting”.
- Who are your role models — in the radio world or in life?
Obviously, my mummy, just because she is the best person that I have ever known. She manages everything really well in her own way, so I know that I can too.
Another role model has to be Briony May Williams. I really like her cheerful presenting style. She really is fab. And Alex Brooker too because, well, he’s #comedygoals and a really natural, and relatable presenter.
- What advice would you give to other young Reach people who might be dreaming of working in radio or tv?
Just go for it! But always have multiple hobbies so that one thing doesn’t take over all your thoughts. It’s good to have a lot of hobbies as the things you learn from each one will always help you with the other ones in some way.
- Where do you see yourself in a few years — still on the radio, or maybe trying something new?
I’d like to continue with radio presenting and discovering new music forever, even if it’s just in my spare time. Music makes every day better.
Shared from Within Reach Magazine Summer 2025. Read the latest Within Reach magazine here!