Hits Radio East Midlands: Get to know Jo & Sparky
Get to know your favourite Breakfast Show for the East Midlands.
Last updated 18th Nov 2024
Turn it up every day with Hits Radio! We've got the most exciting playlists, with the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, brought to you from a line-up packed with personalities. Now, with Rayo, it's even easier to listen to us wherever you are.
There’s Jo & Sparky each weekday morning, Gemma Atkinson and Mike Toolan bringing you home and Sam Thompson wrapping up your evenings with the biggest artists and stars. And don't forget to bring in the weekend with Fleur East, James and Matt, every Saturday morning. Plus, we give you the chance to win life-changing cash just by listening.
So, what are you waiting for? Tune in now and turn it up! Whether you’re in the car, on the move or at home, there are plenty of ways you can listen to Hits Radio. With Rayo, no matter where you are, we’ve made it easier than ever.
How do I listen to Hits Radio?
You can find us on FM, DAB, online, downloading the free Rayo app and through your Smart Speaker.
How do I listen online?
To listen online, simply create an account at hitsradio.co.uk or download our Rayo app, where you can find all your favourite shows, plus many more.
How to log in to Hits Radio:
If you already have a Hits Radio account, you won’t need to do anything as you will automatically remain signed in. If you’re yet to sign up, just head to our website or download the Rayo app. Follow the instructions to unlock all the benefits of logged-in listening including exclusive content with your favourite artists, the option to listen again to shows and much more!
What is Rayo?
Rayo is a free app that lets you listen to live radio from 50 top stations, including Hits Radio. You can tune into your favourite shows, presenters, music and radio, all in one place. Plus, access exclusive playlists for all moods and moments.
How do I download the app?
Search 'Rayo' into your app store to download the app for free.
Download Rayo for iOS.
Download Rayo for Android.
Meet Jo
What can we expect from your show on Hits Radio East Midlands?
"We'll play The Biggest Hits and The Biggest Throwbacks. I'll probably be gobsmacked at an Eastenders storyline while Sparky tries to teach me a TikTok trend. Our Gen Z Producer Harvey will mainly be confused about the real world, then we'll all club together to beat Producer Paul at some mad game he's made up! That's it in a nutshell."
What is your favourite thing about presenting your radio show?
"Mostly my favourite thing is having a laugh and hearing amazing stories from our listeners. Sometimes my favourite thing is a listener buying us a Sausage & Egg McMuffin."
What is your go-to track to listen to in the car?
"When we're in the studio it's frowned upon when I try and belt out a Tom Grennan number, so in the car I GO FOR IT. You'll find me at traffic lights belting out a number from Grennan mixed with Lewis Capaldi and Cian Ducrot. I'm also partial to a bit of Nickelback too, proving I'm the cool one on the show."
What’s been your biggest highlight from your show?
"Sparky and I wrote a song for the World Cup at Christmas and I still sing it now. It was hailed as a breakthrough in pop for 2022, mainly by me."
What's your ultimate throwback song?
"I'm big in to any N*SYNC at the moment. Especially now their new song has come out. It totally made be go through their back catalogue and it does not disappoint."
What’s been your biggest highlight from your radio career so far?
"I got invited to Buckingham Palace for a garden party with the Queen! Does it get better than that? Fancy sandwiches and cakes with the gold royal crest on! I had to buy a fascinator and everything. No booze unfortunately and I was too scared to smuggle in a hip flask."
Who's the best guest you've had on the show and why?
"Alan Carr. The things he told us OFF the show were equally as fun as the ones ON the show. We are sworn to secrecy though of course! He's ACE as a guest."
Where can we find you on socials?
X (formerly Twitter) - @JoRussell_FM
Instagram - @jorussellradio
Meet Sparky
What can we expect from your show on Hits Radio East Midlands?
"I suppose the aim is to wake you up with a smile. Terms and conditions apply, we can’t guarantee that. But we do guarantee real life stories, trivial nonsense and The Biggest Hits and Throwbacks."
What is your favourite thing about presenting your radio show?
"The show feels like therapy. When listeners join in and share their world with us, it just feels like we’re all navigating the daily grind together."
What is your go-to track to listen to in the car?
"Whatever Hits Radio is playing (the boss told me to say this). If I’m driving with my 3 year old (my other boss), then he demands Disney hits!"
What's your ultimate throwback song?
"Warren G- Regulate. I will always do the rap. In the studio for Jo, Paul and Harvey or in the car for my wife. None of them appreciate it!"
What’s been your biggest highlight from your show?
"This year it would have to be Beach on a Budget. Going to Mallorca and back in one day to prove you can have a cheap day out abroad!"
What’s been your biggest highlight from your radio career so far?
"I've been lucky enough to have so many amazing moments. DJing for Enrique Iglesias & JLS in arenas across the midlands, breaking the world record for longest time on a Bumper car, had a beer named after our show."
Who's the best guest you've had on the show and why?
"Loved chatting to Noel Gallagher about his opinions on X Factor. But it’ll be hard to beat hanging out backstage at the Grand theatre with the Hoff himself. He even let me try on his original jacket from Baywatch."
The question everyone wants to know the answer to: Why is Sparky called Sparky?
"It’s a nickname from Uni that has stuck forever. My mate Mitch is the one that called me it first, it was printed on the back of a uni T-shirt and that been my name ever since. It felt weird on my wedding day when my wife called me Mark in our vows. My son thinks Sparky is my actual name."
X (formerly Twitter) - @Sparkyradio_
Instagram - @Sparky_radio
When do Jo & Sparky play Tenable?
One of the best times of the week is 8am on a Friday were we collectively as the East Midlands take down Producer Paul in a game of Tenable.
When can I listen to Unbelievable Stories?
Every Monday at 8am, we aim to blow your mind with an Unbelievable story.
We want you to be a part of the show!
Jo and Sparky are making Monday the most dramatic day of the week!
Make sure you're listening to The Hits Radio Breakfast Show from 8am every Monday to hear the most jaw-dropping Unbelievable Stories.
Jo & Sparky are DETERMINED to get someone to call them duck live on the radio, and they won't stop until they do.
Listen in to The Hits Radio Breakfast Show to find out of they manage it...
We always love speaking to kids on the radio!
Jo and Sparky play Kids Tell Fibs every weekday morning at 7.50 live across Derby, Nottingham and Leicester.
If you've got a budding star in your house somewhere in the East Midlands, fill in the form by clicking 'more' and we could be giving you a call to get them on Hits Radio.
Every day Jo and Sparky want YOU to Guess The Year.
They get the best clips from a different year and all you need to do is message in and tell them the year featured, and you may win a prize!
How to listen to The Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Jo & Sparky:
Hits Radio East Midlands is 100% digital, which means you’re be able to enjoy the station’s Biggest Hits and Biggest Throwbacks on DAB, online, smart speaker or on the free app. Here's our complete guide on how to listen. You can listen to The Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Jo & Sparky every weekday 6am- 10am. You can find our full schedule here.
How do I listen to Hits Radio East Midlands on my smart speaker?
Ask your smart speaker to ‘play Hits Radio East Midlands’, like you would for any playlist or podcast.
Amazon Alexa: "Alexa, play Hits Radio East Midlands’
Google Home: "Ok Google, play Hits Radio East Midlands’ on Tune-In."
Apple HomePod: "Hey Siri, play Hits Radio East Midlands."
Want to keep up with the latest from Jo and Sparky?
Get to know Hits Radio's presenters:
Fleur East, James Barr and Matt Haslam
Wake the fun up with Fleur East, James Barr & Matt Haslam. This jam-packed show brings you the biggest laughs, the biggest competitions and your favourite stars all while playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks.
Gemma Atkinson & Mike Toolan
Gemma Atkinson & Mike Toolan get you home weekdays from 4pm. Expect plenty of laughs with the biggest hits and throwbacks!
Sam Thompson
Every weeknight Hits Radio is THE place to be, as Sam Thompson brings you The Hits Radio Evening Show from 7pm. He's joined by the world's biggest stars and has the best playlist to soundtrack your evening.
Plus, on Sunday afternoons Sam Thompson counts down the UK's 40 biggest hits on the Hits UK Chart.
Tom Green
Tom Green kicks off your workday from 10am with an entire hour of huge throwbacks.
Then continue your day with a tasty selection of hits, throwbacks and a lot to make you smile!
Hattie Pearson
We don't do the post lunch slump! From 1pm, there's big tunes all afternoon and MASSIVE money to be won, Hattie will see you through your afternoon in style.
Owen Warner
Owen Warner kickstarts your weekend on Friday Night Hits and Saturday Night Hits from 7pm. He's got the ultimate playlist to get you ready for the weekend, with the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks as well as some incredible celebrity guests. Don't miss it!
Mary Mandefield
Mary Mandefield gives your Sunday morning the kickstart it needs with hits, throwbacks and plenty of giggles as you wake up. Listen Sunday morning from 6-9am.
Stephanie Hirst
Your Saturday night party is ON with Stephanie Hirst's belters! From 11pm every Saturday Stephanie plays nothing but the best dance-floor throwbacks from the 90s & 00s. Plus, every Sunday evening from 7pm, Steph plays nothing but the biggest throwbacks in the mix.
Sarah-Jane Crawford
Whether you're heading back from the shops, the game or getting ready for an evening at home, our very own SJC has the perfect mix of Hits and Throwbacks to take your Saturday afternoon into Saturday night mode! Join Sarah-Jane Crawford Saturday afternoons from 4-7pm. You can also catch Sarah-Jane weeknights from 10pm on Hits Radio.