The Bald Builders Breakfast
| Genre | Music, chat |
|---|---|
| Running time | 180 minutes (6:00 am – 9:00 am) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Home station | Fix Radio |
| Hosted by | The Bald Builders |
| Produced by | Jack Edwards, Travis Glossop, Demi Bell |
| Original release | 25th April 2022 |
| Website | The Bald Builders Breakfast |
| Podcast | The Bald Builders Breakfast |
The Bald Builders Breakfast is a British radio programme broadcast on Fix Radio, a national station dedicated to the building and construction trades.[1] The show, which airs five days a week from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM, is presented by the British presenting duo, The Bald Builders, comprising Brad Hanson and Sam Hughes.[2] It is aimed at a target audience of tradespeople across the UK.[3][4]
History
[edit]The presenting duo, Brad Hanson and Sam Hughes, initially joined Fix Radio in July 2020 to host their first programme, "The Bald Brunch." which aired on Fridays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and was promoted as a way for tradespeople to celebrate "downing tools" as they headed into the weekend.[5]
The Bald Builders Breakfast launched on April 25, 2022.[3] The launch was a key part of Fix Radio's expansion strategy, as the station transitioned from being a regional broadcaster (in London and Manchester) to a national station on DAB digital radio, which commenced a week later on May 3, 2022.[6] The new breakfast show was sponsored by the brand Toupret as the official launch partner.[3]
Following its move to a national broadcast, the show's popularity grew significantly. In late 2022, the hosts' website reported that the breakfast show and Fix Radio had increased their audience reach by 80% since going national.[7] 2023, the show's weekly audience of tradespeople had reached nearly 300,000.[8] As of November 2025, the show reaches over 860,000 tradespeople every week.[9]
Format and features
[edit]The Bald Builders Breakfast follows a typical music and chat format for a breakfast show, with a focus on entertaining tradespeople and encouraging listener interaction.
The show's news segment integrates Sky News bulletins with the station's in-house news offering. In 2025, sports broadcaster Jonny Gould joined the station to provide hourly sports bulletins during the daytime schedule.[10]
Key features of the programme include:
- Let's Get You Talking: A daily question posed to the audience to encourage text and voice note interaction with Hanson and Hughes.
- Joke of the Week: A Friday segment where listeners submit jokes, with a weekly winner crowned. Jokes unsuitable for radio are sometimes aired exclusively on the show's podcast version.
- Producer Trav's Movie Reviews: Senior Producer Travis Glossop regularly reviews films on the show.
Social impact
[edit]The programme has used its platform to run social initiatives and highlight small businesses within the trade industry and local communities. Their "Café of the Year" competition encouraged listeners to nominate and vote for their favourite builder's café, with the winner crowned nationally.[11][12]
The presenters have also promoted public health campaigns, such as the Public Health England Better Health Campaign.[13]
Team
[edit]The core team supporting the presenters includes:
- Jack Edwards – Executive Producer (also presenter of "Early Doors" on Fix Radio)[14]
- Travis Glossop – Senior Producer
- Demi Bell – Assistant Producer
- Brogan Hubber – Music Director
- Toby Penman – Cover Assistant Producer
Stand-in presenters
[edit]The main hosts are covered by other Fix Radio personalities, including:
- Trevor Marshall and Rich Smith (Presenters of the "Down Tools" Drive Show)[15]
- Jack Edwards (Executive Producer and presenter of "Early Doors")
- Travis Glossop (Senior Producer)
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Bald Builders Breakfast | Audio and Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS) | Best New Radio Show | Nominated | [16] |
| 2023 | Ultimate Builders Portaloo (Show segment) | Loo of the Year Award | Building and Construction | Won | [17] |
| 2025 | The Bald Builders Breakfast | The Audio Production Awards (THE APA'S) | Best Entertainment | Gold | [18] |
References
[edit]- ↑ "The Bald Builders secure breakfast show on national radio". Sussex Express. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ Usborne, Simon (1 March 2024). "'We're off in our transit vans after the show': how Fix Radio built a hit station for builders". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 "The Bald Builders launch Breakfast Show on Fix Radio". Fix Radio. 25 April 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ Collins, Steve (1 October 2024). "Fix Radio reaches half a million builders and adds new shows for autumn". RadioToday. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ "Fix Radio signs The Bald Builders for new show". RadioToday. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ Staff, RadioToday (3 May 2022). "Fix Radio turns on national coverage on DAB digital radio". RadioToday. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ "80% MORE PEOPLE ARE LISTENING TO THE BALD BUILDERS BREAKFAST". The Bald Builders Official Website. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ Martin, Roy (19 May 2023). "The Bald Builders Breakfast Show gets new sponsor on Fix Radio". RadioToday. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ name="radiotoday_reach">Collins, Steve (27 October 2025). "RAJAR Q3 2025: Sport and chill formats increase reach". RadioToday. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ Staff, RadioToday (5 May 2025). "Sports broadcaster Jonny Gould joins Fix Radio to host sports bulletins". RadioToday. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ Edwards, Lauren (19 November 2024). "Greasy spoon with 45-item breakfast voted UK's Best Builder's Cafe". The Mirror. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ "Corby cafe named best in UK after topping national poll of 10,000 radio listeners". Northants Telegraph. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
- ↑ "Brands". The Bald Builders Official Website. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
Public Health England - Better Health Campaign
- ↑ "Fix Radio Schedule". Fix Radio. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ "Down Tools with Trev + Rich". Fix Radio. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
- ↑ "The ARIAS 2023 Nominees". The Radio Academy. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ "2023 Winners List". Loo of the Year Awards. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
Building and Construction category winner: Ultimate Builders Portaloo
- ↑ "Winners announced for the APAs from AudioUK 2025". Audio UK. Retrieved 25 February 2026.