Mon 02 Feb, 2026

Meet our brand new National Prison Radio presenter

From HMP Styal, to the host of the Family and Friends Request Show – it’s time to meet Toni…

We first met Toni while she was serving a sentence at HMP Styal. She worked on National Prison Radio and quickly became a much-loved voice and banter source – lightening up the days of thousands of people behind bars, alongside her trusty right-hand woman, Faye.

A year on from Toni’s release from Styal, they are teaming up again to produce and present the Family and Friends Request Show. This is one of our most popular radio shows, and the only show that can be listened to by people outside of prison cells.

Here Toni tells you a bit more about her journey from prison to production…

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How did you first get involved with National Prison Radio?

My journey with National Prison Radio (NPR) began in 2023 while I was serving time at HMP Styal. At the time, I was working in the prison salon and was interviewed for a Friday Takeover show, where different prison workplaces got to choose the music for an hour.

It’s fair to say that after that experience, I didn’t want to put the mic down. I asked staff if I could move into the radio team, and a few months later I was in the studio with my then pad mate Faye — who now also works for the Prison Radio Association – hosting the Friday Banter Show. The rest, as they say, is history.

What did you enjoy about radio, and what made you want to keep coming back to the studio?

I’ve always loved music, so initially it was the idea of being surrounded by it and choosing songs for listeners that drew me in. But once I started working with NPR, I realised there was so much more to radio.

I learned about scripting, editing, using studio software, and reading out messages – messages filled with encouragement, love, humour and advice. That connection with listeners was what really hooked me.

The feedback from the show meant everything. Hearing that you’re making someone’s day better when they’re in a difficult place is incredibly humbling and a huge confidence boost.

How has working in radio and being part of the Prison Radio Association had a positive effect on your life?

The positive impact has been endless. First and foremost, I’m making my children proud – and that means everything to me.

Radio fuels my ADHD brain in the best possible way. It’s creative, fast-paced and purposeful. My confidence has grown massively, and I’ve found work that genuinely aligns with who I am.

Being part of the Prison Radio Association changed the direction of my life. It gave me belief, opportunity and stability – and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.

Can you tell us about your new role at the Prison Radio Association?

I’m now the host of the Family and Friends Request Show.

Each week, I read out messages and song requests sent in by loved ones on the outside. We receive messages from children to parents, partners to partners, friends supporting friends – everything from simple “thinking of you” notes to the occasional marriage proposal.

My role is about connection. I’m helping people stay close to their families at a time when that connection matters most – and I know first-hand how powerful that is.

Why do you think the Family and Friends Request Show is so important?

Staying connected to loved ones while serving a sentence is vital. Not everyone finds it easy to write letters or make phone calls, and sometimes a song can say what words struggle to express.

The Family and Friends Request Show gives people another way to stay emotionally connected. It allows families to share love, encouragement and reassurance in a way that feels personal and meaningful.

What do you hope to achieve in your new role?

Right now, I feel exactly where I’m meant to be. Every show is an achievement in itself.

I hope listeners continue to engage, to trust me with their messages, and to feel heard. I also hope more women like me see what’s possible and take opportunities that can genuinely change their lives.

Do you have any other goals or ambitions in radio, or in life more generally?

My biggest goal in life is to be the best parent I can be to my three children. Everything else is a bonus.

Professionally, I want to keep growing, learning and challenging myself. And who knows – maybe one day I’ll be alongside Faye presenting I’m a Celebrity…Ant and Dec might need a break.

To listen to the new Ant and Dec – Toni and Faye – on The Family and Friends Request Show head here

And you would like to help create more opportunities for talented women like Toni, please donate via the big blue button below: