Popular comedian and radio personality Christopher 'Johnny' Daley has joined the Suncity Radio 104.9 family in Portmore, St Catherine, to anchor a morning programme.

The show, called 'Johnny Live', began yesterday and will air on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 6 and 9 a.m. Daley was pleased with his first day.

"My first day was great, I opened the phone lines today and the calls were encouraging and positive. I know that 'Johnny Live' is going to do well so I am going to take the first week and get to know the Suncity deejays because a different one is going to play for me each day so mi just a get fi know everybody," Daley said yesterday.

He says he hopes to forge a successful partnership with Suncity Radio.

"For a regional station from such humble beginnings, their popularity and fan base goes far beyond their reach. Fortunately, the Internet allows anyone to listen and can become a part of the family. My challenge is to ensure I can keep up with the demands of a very informed public that demands professionalism and good entertainment for their time and I don't want to disappoint," he said.

major coup

Daley was recently released from the Cliff Hughes-owned Nationwide News Network where he hosted a popular afternoon entertainment programme dubbed 'Di Endz'. He had been working at the radio station for four years before his contract was terminated. Questions swirled about his broadcasting future, but Daley has navigated the aftermath of that incident with great poise.

"I'm back, and ready to go," he told a reporter this week.

Steven Billings, chairman of the Suncity Radio station, admitted that the move was a major coup for the upstart station that has been making aggressive moves in Portmore.

"We are excited to have Johnny join the Suncity family in Portmore. He has a great passion for radio and I believe he can help Suncity Radio to fulfil our mission to reach people through engaging and interactive radio. As a man with a background in stand-up comedy, he has a real gift for the intimate communication that radio needs, and he is an excellent fit for us," Billings said.

Daley revealed that his mission is "to wake up listeners the kind of uplifting, positive, energetic, spontaneous edutainment that you need to start the day".

"Just like the rise of the Sun, 'Johnny Live' will brighten your day," he said.

He added that the show will boast a health and lifestyle feature, rib-ticklers, personality profiles, trivia, a culture corner, traffic reports, news and sports, as well as community-oriented features.

"I am very excited to be a part of the Suncity family," he said.