Russ Williams (DJ)

Russell "Russ" Williams (born 21 January 1962) is an English radio DJ from Blackpool, primarily known for his long-running shows on Virgin Radio (from 1993), and since 2008 on Absolute Radio, the re-launched version of Virgin Radio. Since March 2016 he has presented the breakfast show on Smooth Radio.

Williams trained at London's National Broadcasting School in Programming and Journalism, He then landed a journalist job at Brighton's Southern Sound including presenting weekend Breakfast, which then led to a presenting job at Radio Mercury in Sussex, presenting a chart show every Sunday from 3-5pm. Williams then moved to Finland where he presented his own show on Helsinki's Radio 1. Williams lives in Tewin, Hertfordshire.

Williams returned to the UK and joined Newcastle's Metro Radio. In 1990, he joined London's Capital Radio to present the Weekend Breakfast Show, which remained his domain for three years. He often stood in as holiday relief for Chris Tarrant, and he also hosted The Rebel Yell Rock Machine, which was syndicated across the nation's airwaves every week.

Williams worked at Virgin Radio since it went on air in 1993. His first role was the Breakfast show, initially on his own, then alongside Jonathan Coleman. From 1995 to 1996, he was host of the Sky Sports TV show, Soccer AM. In October 1997, due to Chris Evans' arrival at the station, the duo went on to present the Drivetime show & in early 1998, Williams took on the mid-morning show on his own, until he finished in May 2015. Also in 1998, he was the announcer on ITV's Saturday night show Don't Try This at Home!. Then in 2001, he was the event commentator on the Channel 5 sports show Under Pressure which lasted just one series and ten episodes. On 2 January 2006, his show was extended to four hours of air (10am-2pm) every week day. Absolute Radio reverted to its old time slots on 23 July 2007 and his show ran between 10am and 1pm every weekday. He also presented a show on Absolute Classic Rock, but left both shows in May 2015.

During ITV's broadcasting of Premier League football coverage from 2001 to 2004, Russ was part of the team, commentating on edited match and goal highlights.

Russ announced that he was leaving his mid-morning show on Absolute Radio on 28 April 2015 but would still continue his Saturday afternoon show for Rock and Roll football. His last appearance on Rock and Roll Football was in May 2016.