AN ANDOVER teenager has been announced as a finalist in a national radio station’s ‘Future Star’ competition.

Young presenter Luis Wyatt beat off many competitors to get to the top eight in Hits Radio Pride’s competition, running to celebrate its first birthday and find the next voice in radio.

The 18-year-old attended Winton School, where he got his first taste of radio broadcasting.

Since then, he has progressed onto local station Andover Radio where he won ‘Best Male Presenter’ at the prestigious Community Radio Awards.

Talking about finding out he had been shortlisted for the prize, Luis told the Advertiser: “I applied about a month ago by entering some audio. I recorded that literally in my bedroom.

“If I’m being honest, I kind of forgot about it, and then one of their producers phoned me. I was so so happy, but also frustrated because I couldn’t tell anyone until Monday and I am the worst person at keeping secrets!

“I’ve worked so hard on radio. I started eight years ago, at school, so it’s pretty crazy!”

After graduating from The Global Academy college in May, over the summer Luis joined huge names like Graham Norton and Chris Evans on the presenting line-up with Virgin Radio Pride.

“I was going up to London to record the show and it was amazing. These are the people I have grown up listening to!”

Luis has been working for the town for many years, from being crowned Carnival Prince in 2012, to hosting events such as the Town Christmas Light Switch on, and doing a 24-hour radio show for Children in Need.

Now, he hopes that the people of Andover can get behind him as he takes the step into the national radio field, and he has future aspirations of having a go at TV presenting as well.

“Just being a part of this competition, whether or not I win, is such a great step up in getting me to a national platform. I’m just hoping people get behind me,” he said.

“I have been doing lots for the community and it would be really nice if people could take a moment and vote. I am hopefully helping with putting Andover on the map!”

Luis also encourages anybody who is thinking of a career in presenting to take as many opportunities as they can from a young age.

“I have always been performing, and knowing that presenting is something I wanted to do.

“I was really lucky that Winton had a radio station. No one really heard me for five years, but I could just experiment.

“The opportunities are there, but media jobs are not as encouraged any more and one day we will realise there’s a real need for people in the creative industries. It’s not just about being a radio presenter, you are improving your communication skills and confidence.”

Hits Radio Pride is aimed at the the destination for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a place where advocates and allies can feel connected, safe, and empowered to be themselves sound tracked by the biggest Pride hits.

In his entry, Luis discussed his own ‘coming out’ journey, and how he hopes to see the media industry further diversify.

“It’s taken me a while to just be honest, and proud,” he told the Advertiser.

“It’s one thing accepting it and understanding it [my sexuality] but now I’m starting to talk about it on the radio and it’s such a big part of my life that I’d like to talk about it more, whether that’s on an LGBTQ+ station, or on mainstream stations.”

You have less than three weeks to cast your vote for free at: https://t.co/jSQo2CxZLC?amp=1