Salford born and bred, Mike Sweeney joined Piccadilly Radio in 1980 after playing with his new wave punk band, The Salford Jets, at a station roadshow in Manchester. It was for this roadshow that Mike voiced a promo that caught the attention of the programme controller.

Mike was the first mainstream commercial radio presenter with a regional accent helping to pave the way for Gary Crowley, Terry Christian, Chris Evans, and Mark ‘n’ Lard. Mike had worked as a coal miner, on the docks, and on numerous building sites, all whilst playing regularly in bands. It was with The Salford Jets that he finally found success, with recording contracts, a hit single, and television performances, shortly followed by his big break onto the airwaves of Manchester.

At Piccadilly Radio, Mike had built up a massive following in the northwest. Listeners were drawn to his forthright, opinionated, and honest views that were delivered with humour and warmth. He worked his way through every daytime show, including 10 years as the host of the network’s breakfast show. Mike also made enough of an impression on Chris Evans during his tenure at “Picc” to warrant a chapter in his autobiography!!

Mike’s award-winning broadcasting career includes work with Capital Gold in London, Sunday Breakfast Show on Xfm Manchester, joining the Guardian Media Group as part of the launch team for 106.1 Rock Radio, and more recently presenting Sweeney’s Million Sellers on national Smooth Radio 70s. At the start of 2014, Mike realised a career ambition when he joined BBC Radio Manchester full time to present The Morning Programme.

In 2001, Sweeney’s Sixties Classics won a New York Gold in the New York Radio Awards and in 2002 Mike won the Silver Music Broadcaster Award at the Sonys, the radio industry’s answer to the Oscars. In 2011, Mike was given a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by The Radio Academy and in November 2012 was awarded The Variety Children’s Charity “Radio Industry Legend” Award.

In addition to his radio work, Mike has also presented several TV programmes including The Young Enterprise Show for BBC North-West, Elvis Has Just Left The Building for Sky, a classic car series (also for Sky), and The Manchester United Debate Show on Channel M.

Mike is available to MC awards, chair conferences, conduct interviews, and make personal appearances.