A FORMER jazz singer and cabaret artist wants to expand the all-women radio station she launched a year ago.
Josephine Pembroke launched Radio Gorgeous last spring, which she describes as a women’s glossy magazine you can listen to.
With an all-women team, the Shepherd’s Bush station aims to entertain women across west London with views on culture, comedy, style and wellbeing.
Mrs Pembroke, who has worked at BBC Radio Bristol, Purbeck FM and OnFM, set up her own station after moving to Askew Road, Shepherd’s Bush five years ago.
“I wanted to do the thing I enjoy most and I love radio,” she said.
“I’ve worked in radio and I’m really interested in helping women to succeed.
“Women have inspired me and all my role models are women so I thought it would be brilliant to create a radio station that promotes women.”
She converted her spare room into a studio to record and produce the weekly podcasts which can be downloaded from the website.
Mary Killen, The Spectator’s agony aunt and writer at The Lady magazine, and Virginia Ironside, former columnist on the Mail and The Independent, are among the six volunteers who power the station.
Famous guests include Jo Wood, former wife of Rolling Stone Ronnie, and Rachel Johnson, the Mayor of London’s sister and editor of a rejuvenated The Lady.
However, the station also focuses on ‘local heroines’ who share their stories. They have included an entrepreneur, a singer, personal trainer, and a pig owner.
Mrs Pembroke added: “Radio Gorgeous is the only all-female voice on the air.
“We want to be fun, irreverent and lively, to entertain you and make you feel positive. Radio Gorgeous makes you feel gorgeous.”
Mrs Pembroke lives with her two children and husband James, publisher of The Oldie magazine, created by former Private Eye editor Richard Ingrams.
Radio Gorgeous is looking for sponsorship to expand and has dreams of becoming a full-time radio station.
To listen, visit www.radiogorgeous.com . To contribute, email info@radiogorgeous.com.
