25-05-2025
Radio host moved to tears after colleague opens up on air in emotional interview
A radio presenter was moved to tears after one of her colleagues opened up on air about the challenges he has overcome.
Bury-based singer, songwriter and broadcaster Jsky delivered the emotional interview on BBC Radio Manchester's Manc and Proud show. The conversation with his colleague Simone Riley made the host tearful while listeners at home said they were also moved.
During the interview, Jsky talked about his journey as an artist, his love for Manchester and the challenges he has overcome.
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Overwhelmed by emotion, Riley said she 'had a bit of a cry' listening to her colleague, telling him, 'you've truly touched my heart'.
"I'm getting emotional listening to you," she said, "and before I had a bit of a cry when I was speaking to you because I know you as a colleague but we've never had a deep chat like this.
"I just see someone who is flamboyant, someone who's very confident and I've never really delved into this like we have done today... and Jay I've got to say, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for being so open and honest with me here today.
"It really is heartwarming to hear your story and to know your purpose."
Jsky, whose real name is Jason Warner, grew up in Whitefield where his family were 'the only black people' and subject to racist abuse.
But the singer, who regularly performed at Pride events, said he did not felt welcome in Manchester's gay scene for a long time either.
He said: "I'd go to clubs in Manchester in the village and I wouldn't be able to get in. They'd say, "you need to be a member", and then the people that weren't the same skin tone as me, shall we say, would be able to walk in and I'd be left on the outside.
"When I first started going out on the Manchester scene, I made a name for myself with the z-list clubs on the straight scene because they were the places that actually accepted me the most. I built up my following that way."
Speaking about his upbringing, he added: 'From an early age I got to experience being different in a room and being treated differently. So I've had this responsibility instilled in me, to represent something bigger than yourself, that's kind of primed me."
During the interview, Riley described Jsky as a 'role model'. Asked about his fashion choices, Jsky said: "I want to have fun.
"My message has always been to not be scared of doing something that will make you happy. It's not that deep.
"You don't need to live your life based on what someone might say. And chances are, that negative opinion is just your own in the back of your head.
"So you need to make that other opinion, the good one, louder. And if wearing something makes you feel a certain way and clothes do, they have that power.
"They change how we walk, they change how we hold ourselves, our posture, how we introduce ourselves into the world.
"I want to look back on my life and. Yeah, I might make a few fashion mistakes. I might make a lot to be fair.
"But I want to look back at this pictures and say 'I remember wearing that outfit, I remember the day'.
"It's a statement. It does something. That's my aim."
Listeners quickly took to social media to express their support and admiration for the Manchester fashionista after the interview.
Rapper Sebastenelli who features on Jsky's latest single Put It Pon Dem wrote: "Listened LN, very proud. Very proud. Nothing but love."
Adding to the outpouring of support, Philip Brennan replied: 'Superb interview. Was genuinely quite emotional listening to your story."
Bluescarrmusic also commented: "You are an absolute inspiration...a fellow Manc rooting for you."
Jsky's mum, who tuned in while working at a local charity shop, said: "Heard the interview… you make me so so proud. Have to confess I did shed a tear—you're such a beautiful young man and privileged to be your mam Shap bizzie up later. Love youuu xx."
