A NEWPORT teenager is setting his sights on London’s major radio stations this summer after years of successful presenting in Wales.

George McDonagh, 18, from St Julians, presents ‘The Mainstream Mix Up’ to up to 20,000 listeners every Wednesday on the volunteer-run Newport City Radio, and last season did live commentaries on several Newport County games – all while studying for his A-Levels at St Julian’s School.

“It started in Year 10 when I e-mailed the radio station asking for work experience,” explained George, who is expected to achieve an A-grade in his English literature and maths A-Levels and a distinction in BTEC media.

“That summer we did a bit of travelling and I listened to the radio then and got into it. The radio station manager suggested I start early and I was there for six months before my work experience.

“I learned about production before reading things out on air and it snowballed from there. St Julian’s has been a massive encouragement to me. It first helped me to get my work experience in Newport City Radio and has helped me since then,” he said.

George was also inspired in his love of music by his father Chris, who was the bassist in the band The Darling Buds in the 80s and early 90s.

Now he has been offered a place studying media and radio production at his first choice, Westminster University in London, and would like to work for TalkSport or Radio 1.

“I think I’ll start on the student radio station and perhaps volunteer at one of the stations which is local to where I’ll be,” he said.