Kate Thornton: All the answers on the Greatest Hits Radio presenter
Listen to Kate Thornton on Saturdays from 7pm, as well as Sundays 5pm!
Kate Thornton takes to Greatest Hits Radio every Saturday from 7pm, as well as Sundays at 5pm with The Smash Hits Years. Find out everything you need to know about the presenter, from her X Factor days to what she's doing now, as well as how to tune in to Kate on the air!
It's fair to say that Saturday is the best night of the week - and rest assured, Kate will make sure you're having fun, dancing and laughing with her perfect blend of playlist and good times chat. Enjoy a celebration of the most iconic music of the 70s, 80s & 90s and the good times they represent!
Who is Kate Thornton?
Kate Thornton is an English journalist and radio & television presenter from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Although she presented shows like Top of the Pops and Pop Idol: Extra from 1998-2003, Kate became a household name when she hosted The X Factor for a number of years from 2004. She later went on to present other shows such as Loose Women and This Morning.
Now, Kate is part of the Greatest Hits Radio family, showing us all what the good times sound like every Saturday from 7pm, as well as bringing you Greatest Hits and memories from two incredible years in music, on Sundays from 5pm, with The Smash Hit Years. Kate was actually the youngest ever editor of the magazine, Smash Hits, at the age of 22.
How old is she?
Kate was born on 7th February 1973, making her currently 51-years-old.
What is Kate Thornton doing now?
Kate began presenting Saturday nights on Greatest Hits Radio in February 2022. As well as hosting Saturday nights from 7pm, Kate hosts The Smash Hit Years on Sundays at 5pm. She also leads a podcast titled White Wine Question Time; according to the podcast's bio, it 'brings together well-known friends, three glasses of wine and three thought-provoking questions.
'Discover the friendships behind the entertainment headlines, and listen in on their conversations for a side to the celebrities you've never heard before.'
Speaking about it, she said: 'For the last four years I’ve been hosting a weekly podcast, White Wine Question Time, where each week I ask a well-known guest three thought-provoking questions over three glasses of wine - and so far my liver is still intact despite raising a glass and a conversation with over 200 guests!'
She added: 'I also host a topical news show called Royal Beat, all about the Royal Family, for True Royalty on Amazon Prime which I love.'
Why did Kate Thornton start White Wine Question Time?
While at Greatest Hits Radio Live, Kate told us what inspired her to start her White Wine Question Time podcast: "The inspiration for the podcast came out of the conversations I had with my friends when you crack open a bottle of wine, and the conversation goes from A to Z and everything in between. And that's what I wanted to capture."
She joked: "So four years on my liver is ruined!"
When is Kate Thornton on Greatest Hits Radio?
Kate Thornton presents Greatest Hits Radio every Saturday from 7pm, and every Sunday at 5pm.
How can I listen to Kate Thornton on Greatest Hits Radio?
There's plenty of ways that you can listen to Greatest Hits Radio! You can find us on your good old traditional radio, and DAB in lots of places, as well as on our website, our free Rayo app and even on your Smart Speaker. Tune in from 7pm to catch Kate on the airwaves!
What can we expect from Kate Thornton's show on Greatest Hits?
According to Kate, it's: 'The kind of show that lets you know it’s Saturday night, no matter where you’re listening in from and no matter who you’re with. Three hours of songs that make a night in feel like a night out if you’re with friends or offers up the soundtrack for the perfect party for one if you’re tuning in alone.'
On Sundays, Kate brings you Greatest Hits and memories from two incredible years in music - relive the Good Times!
What is Kate Thornton's favourite thing about presenting her radio show?
Reflecting on what she loves about presenting her Greatest Hits Radio show, Kate said: 'The chance to rifle through the music I’ve collected over the years and share it with our listeners, just as I would with my friends at home on a Saturday night.'
What do the good times sound like to Kate Thornton?
She revealed that it's: 'Anything that makes my shoulder shake and my feet ache.'
Which song is Kate Thornton's good times anthem?
Narrowing it down to just one, Kate told us it's 'You Got The Love' by Candi Staton.
What is Kate Thornton's go-to track to listen to in the car?
This was a tough one for Kate who has a lot of favourites, but she said: 'That changes constantly - some days it could be something from Stevie Wonder, or I'll dive into an 80s rabbit hole with Depeche Mode, New Order or at the other end of the spectrum Wham!
'Or lose myself in some 90s classics, be it Soul II Soul or All Saints. But I’m always happy with anything from the songbooks of Marvin, Earth Wind and Fire, Nile Rodgers or Giorgio Moroder.'
How different is presenting on radio compared to TV?
Kate has spent a fair amount of time working in both TV and radio and comparing the differences she commented: 'It’s a case of 'same but very different.' Fundamentally the job is the same - broadcasting - but the intimacy of radio is something that’s entirely unique and special. It feels like talking to a friend.'
What can listeners expect from Kate Thornton's Greatest Hits Radio show?
Every Saturday evening listeners can expect: 'Great music and some of the brilliant stories that sit around them, great features like You Know You’re a Child of, where listeners message in with inventions, fads, crazes and phases from the 70s, 80s and 90s. That’s a brilliant history lesson every week.
'We also look every week at what was happening on that day across those decades too so it’s a real chance to revisit some of the biggest songs and moments from the 70s, 80s and 90s.'
What does Kate Thornton love about her show on Greatest Hits Radio?
She revealed that she loves: 'The chance to play some of the best music there is out there for three hours and hearing the feedback from listeners.'
Which have been Kate Thornton's favourite TV shows to be part of?
Kate has worked on a number of TV shows throughout her career and thinking back on them all, she said: 'I've been spoiled over the years working on ‘pinch me’ shows like The BRIT Awards, The Royal Variety and the BAFTAS as well shows like Pop Idol and X Factor.
'I loved my time anchoring Loose Women but probably my favourite TV job of all time was hosting travel shows for the BBC back in the 90s. I was basically paid to see the world and talk about it. Does it get any better than that?!'
Find out more about the TV shows you've seen Kate Thornton on below...
Was Kate Thornton on The X Factor?
She certainly was - however, not as a contestant! Kate Thornton presented the first ever season of The X Factor back in 2004, going on to host the show until 2006.
Kate joined original judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh as they scoured the UK for the next music superstar. If you cast your minds back, you may remember Kate crowning the show's first ever winner, Steve Brookstein.
How long did Kate Thornton host The X Factor for?
Kate presented three seasons of The X Factor, before Dermot O'Leary took over.
Speaking on the In The Pink podcast with Natalie Pinkham back in June 2020, Kate explained her exit from the show, saying: "They didn’t renew my contract having said that they would — and by they, I mean Simon. It’s his show, it’s his gig.
"There’d been speculation in the press that I was going to get the push and I’d asked if that was the case and if it is, please can you just give me the dignity of resigning, don’t throw me out as a cheap headline, because hopefully our friendship and our history would qualify that I mean a little bit more than that. That didn’t happen."
Was Kate Thornton on Loose Women?
She certainly was! Kate anchored the popular daytime show Loose Women from 2009-2011, appearing with fellow panelists such as Denise Welch, Jane McDonald, Sherrie Hewson and Zoe Tyler.
Kate and Zoe both left the show in 2011, however Kate delighted fans as she returned to the show for an episode in February 2022. Kate joined Kaye Adams, Denise Welch, Carol McGiffin and Gloria Hunniford to discuss her show on Greatest Hits Radio, over 10 years on from being a panelist on the show!
Captioning a picture she shared on her socials, Kate wrote: 'How can it be over 10 years since I was last in the Loose studio?! Felt like stepping back into a pair of well loved shoes - thanks for having me girls 💖'.
Is Kate Thornton on Instagram?
She sure is! You can follow Kate Thornton on Instagram: thekatethornton.
You can also keep up with Kate's show on the Greatest Hits Radio Instagram page.
Who are the Greatest Hits Radio presenters?
Greatest Hits Radio have plenty of presenters ensuring that we are always bringing you the biggest songs from the 70s, 80s & 90s! From Simon Mayo to Jackie Brambles, and Ken Bruce to Martin Kemp, the good times truly sound like this!
Ken Bruce
Greatest Hits Radio is the home of the legend that is Ken Bruce, weekdays 10am-1pm - including PopMaster, the UK's biggest music quiz for 25 years and counting.
Find out more about Ken and PopMaster.
Simon Mayo
Simon Mayo hosts Drivetime every weekday at 4pm and The Album Show on Sundays from 1pm.
Simon said of his Drivetime show: "I think the thing about Drivetime is that it is like the flip side of breakfast. You kind of know what an awful lot of people are doing, it's the end of most people's day, they're doing some final bits of work, they're shutting the laptop, they're doing a bit of food preparation, they're driving home. I think it is that sense of camaraderie, it's the end of the day, people want to be cheered up and they want to spend some time with some decent folk on the radio!"
Find out more about Simon Mayo here.
Paul Gambaccini
Paul brings us his famous America's Greatest Hits programme every Saturday between 5pm-7pm, featuring two hours of the Greatest Hits that made it big in America.
Sharing some of the things he loves about his show, Paul said: "Radio is the perfect form of one-to-one communication. TV can be direct, too, but the camera operator is always in your line of vision! I enjoy sharing my favourite music, and my admittedly freakish knowledge of it, with people who care about that music. I love the opportunity for challenging talk overs, too!"
Find out more about Paul Gambaccini here.
Alex Lester
The Dark Lord keeps you company in the small hours. Join him for the Music Marathon from 1am and the Best Time Of The Day Show 4-6am weekdays.
Alex brings: "Your favourite songs. Bizarre insights and unusual thoughts," to his show and told us that he loves that during his show: "It's just the two of us. You and me. (Against the world)."
Find out more about Alex Lester here.
Jenny Powell
Jenny plays the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s on Greatest Hits Radio to kickstart your weekend, every Saturday and Sunday from 6am.
On Jenny's show, listeners can look forward to The Breakfast Club, which she says is: "A warm-up for the weekend, full of positive vibes and feel-good factor when you wake up on Saturdays and Sundays. I insist you have a dance with me on the Kitchen Disco, I share some fun news stories from the previous week on The Headliners and get you smiling no matter what, sharing some of my favourite tracks from the 70s, 80, and 90s."
Find out more about Jenny Powell here.
Andy Crane
Join Andy's late-night community of music and company, Sunday-Thursday at 10pm.
Andy has three hours of the biggest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s as well as The Top 10 at 10 and Midnight Music Marathon. His show is full of: "Great music and plenty of laughing."
Find out more about Andy Crane here.
Martin Kemp
Join our resident pop star Martin Kemp as he kicks off your Friday night with his Mixtape – three hours of handpicked essential weekend songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s to get you in the mood and dancing round the kitchen.
Then on Saturdays, it's side-two as he brings you nothing but the greatest decade of all time on The 80s Mixtape.
Get your teenage kicks in the company of THE 80s poster boy on Greatest Hits Radio!
Find out more about Martin Kemp here.
Jackie Brambles
Jackie Brambles hosts The Evening Show every Monday to Thursday from 7pm - 10pm.
Jackie promises to deliver: "Great music and great conversations! Every night we're joined by one of your favourite artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s for an in-depth chat about the highs and lows of their careers and their musical influences over the years."
Find out more about Jackie Brambles here.
Kate Thornton
Join Kate at the weekend.
Saturday afternoons are all about the best 70s, 80s & 90s pop soundtrack, bringing you the weekend Good Times – expect One Hit Wonders, Anthems, Nostalgia and plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in the show live.
On Sundays, it's 'The UK Pop 40' as Kate counts down the UK Top 40 as it was on this day in history – exactly where the chart should be. Get the tape recorder out the loft!
Find out more about Kate Thornton here.
Richard Allinson
Weekend Good Times never sounded so good!
He's a broadcasting legend with a voice like silk that, alongside the Biggest Songs of the 70s, 80s & 90s, make the perfect weekend soundtrack – Saturday and Sundays at 9am.
Saturdays kick off with your chance to guess the year on The Top 10 Til 10, while Sundays are reserved for an hour of your special songs and dedications.
Speaking about his show, Richard said: "The idea is to recreate all those great memories I have of weekends growing up, a bunch of us meeting up to buy clothes, records, maybe sort a date…everything happened on a weekend and we remember the records we played at that time."
Find out more about Richard Allinson here.
Des Paul
Join Des for Rhythm Of The Night every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm, where he plays all the greatest soul, funk, disco and Motown hits to start your weekend.
Des explained what he loves the most about his show: "The favourite bit of presenting Rhythm of the Night is when listeners contact me to say how much they've loved hearing a particular track and then tell us all about when and where they used to hear it."
Find out more about Des Paul here.
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