In a bid to refresh its schedule for 2009, The BBC Asian Network is moving its stalwart presenter Adil Ray to the coveted breakfast show slot.  This means that on your way to work (or while you’re prying your eyes open to get to lectures after a hard night out), you can listen to the latest Asian tunes, as well as Adil’s trademark wit.  Meanwhile, current breakfast presenter Jas Rao swaps seats with Adil to present the Drive Show from 3pm - 6pm.

The slot shake-up comes as welcome news from the BBC, which has hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently: Jonathon Ross and Russell Brand’s prank phonecall gone wrong; John Seargant apparently being bullied into leaving Strictly Come Dancing, etc.  Amidst all the scandal, it seems that the Beeb is at least doing some right by its Desi representatives.

I grew up listening to The Asian Network, so I have heard it evolve from a poor signalled (perhaps because of where I lived) eclectic mix of Bollywood golden oldies, to the fresh, urban, desi alternative to Radio 1.  It’s moved out of the confines of broadcasting at early hours when nobody was really listening, to become a popular medium which is often advertised on BBC TV.

As The Asian Network has grown, a whole host of others radio stations have come snapping at its innovative heels - Asian Sound, Club Asia, Asian FX; yet somehow The Asian Network has managed to withstand the competition, remaining at the forefront of new music, and championing the up-and-coming stars.  Raghav and Jay Sean were little-known singers when The BBC Asian Network began plugging their sounds.  Perhaps to show their gratitude, both stars often appear on their University Tours and Roadshows, despite their musical success.  Its own presenters have even made waves into mainstream media, with Nihal presenting slots on Radio 1 and ‘Yorkshire lass’ Anita Rani featuring on TV’s ‘Rogue Restaurants’.

Adil himself has also embraced the TV world, presenting The Asian Network’s TV spin-off, ‘Desi DNA’ on BBC2. Adil’s unique style has gained him plaudits across radio and TV, and his Drive Show won the award for Best Radio Show at the UK Asian Music Awards (AMAs) in 2008.  His TV work has included the late night talk show, ‘The Last Word’ on Carlton, co-hosting BBC 4’s ‘Tales from Europe’ with Kirsty Wark and the BBC1 show ‘Heaven and Earth’, as well as ‘Desi DNA’. Recently Adil hosted the BBC3 documentary ‘Mischief - Is it Coz I is Black?’. Here Adil tested political correctness by pulling off a number of stunts, including purchasing some dark sunglasses to cover the eyes of his “veil wearing wife”. The show was a ratings winner.

One of the early adopters, the Birmingham born presenter made his name on commercial radio with Galaxy FM.  He was on the radio before we saw the burst of British Asians in the media - Saira Khan, Konnie Huq, Laila Rouass, to name but a few.  But unlike the aforementioned personalities, Adil is still keeping it real and flying the desi flag.

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