radio: sony silver best breakfast show >> arqiva nomination best uk presenter >> x-trax best north west presenter

Upon winning his Sony award for Wes @ Breakfast, the judges described him as: “a true radio natural who knows exactly how to pitch to his audience. He does great interviews, cool stunts and is a quality presenter."

Wes is making his return to national BBC radio when he sits in for Shaun Keavney on the 6 Music breakfast show from 28 July.
The decision to leave Galaxy in April 08 was a concious one: it freed up more time to concentrate on other projects --- a well used quote in the radio industry, but in Wes's case, true --- such as writing and producing documentaries and podcasts.

The Pain of Laughter - The Last Days of Kenneth Williams (Part One)

"Exquisite anecdotes ... a programme well researched and slickly presented by Rob Brydon ... the promise that the four beneficiaries of his will would 'speak candidly'. Next week, the contents of the will are revealed (Guardian Review).

The Pain of Laughter - The Last Days of Kenneth Williams (Part Two)

"A fantastic selection of archive clips and fascinatingly candid interviewees" (Radio Times Blog).
When Radio One announced that Mark Goodier was leaving, the media went into a frenzy trying to work out who’d get the prestigious UK Top 40 gig next. Big name presenters were banded about in the press but it was revealed on 5 December 2002 that an unknown 22 year old had been picked. His name was Wes Butters.

The Official Chart Show with Wes

Wes was the ninth presenter of the UK Top 40 on Radio 1: before him there was Alan Freeman, Tom Browne, Tony Blackburn, Tommy Vance, Simon Bates, Richard Skinner, Bruno Brookes and Mark Goodier. Here’s a little montage of how Wes’ chart sounded.

The Chris Moyles Show

Every Monday at about 7.30 Wes had to get up and recap the chart, usually naked, from his bed, live to the nation. Here’s a clip of him doing it just after he’d done the early breakfast show beforehand.

Are You Still With It?

This is a feature Wes did regularly with a load of famous old farts like Jimmy Saville and Johnny Ball. This one stars Mollie Sugden who played Mrs Slocombe in Are You Being Served? She also featured in Little Britain.

Wes pissed

After a number of pints after the chart one Sunday night, Wes was keen to get back on the air – the only station that was taking live calls to air was an online student radio station in Cambridge. It seems he got rumbled halfway through.

When Wes Met Geri

Geri popped into the studio for a chat.

Vernon’s Happy Hour

Somehow Vernon Kay got to do his first show in a pub and he had a challenge for Wes.

Xmas Chart 2004

The Christmas chart is always the biggie! Here’s what went down on the 2004 Top 40 including an interview with Sir Bob Geldof. (Gives it away doesn’t it?).

Xmas Chart 2003

Before the X Factor winners getting the No. 1 at Christmas, there was Michael Andrews and Gary Jules with Madworld. This is how Gary heard the news.
Wes started at Galaxy 102 Manchester in September 05 and quickly made a name for himself with his cheeky humour and pranks. The listening figures broke all previous records and he picked up Silver at the Sony awards in 2006. In 2007 he decided he’d had enough of early starts but stayed on to host a lunchtime show.

Gran does Akon

This is the best interview ever. Only Wes’s gran can get away with these questions and the line “Oh, I couldn’t tell”

Casablanca

The film always gets voted one of the greatest ever made, but for anyone who doesn't like crusty old black and white films, Wes has updated it for you.

Galaxy Highlights

Some highlights from Wes' time at Galaxy Manchester, including Showbiz Blags with The Bear off C4 and Simon Pegg and Nick Frost off Hot Fuzz.
Not many people can say they’ve been speaking to 160 million people. Wes’ first outing on the BBC World Service was as Steve Wright’s stand-in on Wright Around the World, and then was regularly heard on Top of the Pops. Wes was also the voice of Live 8 for the network.