Reading student is new Radio 1 film critic
Release Date 25 March 2011
A University of Reading student has landed a prestigious role with BBC National Radio. Rhianna Dhillon, currently in her final year studying English and Film & Theatre, has been confirmed as BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra's new film critic.
Amazingly this will be Rhianna's first ever job in radio, replacing James King who left Radio 1 earlier this month after thirteen years with the station. She was discovered after attending a Radio 1 Movies Team visit to the University of Reading and immediately impressed with her knowledge of film and her bright personality. She later took part in a rigorous piloting process alongside nine other young hopefuls, including fellow Reading Film & Theatre student Josh Paice, before landing the job.
Rhianna, who is 22 and originally from Brighton, says studying at Reading has given her the skills and confidence to succeed in her new role.
"Support from the University's staff has been fantastic and being able to talk freely in seminars has been a great boost to my confidence. My film tutors have provided me with a wealth of knowledge about film and the analysis skills which will I will use at Radio 1. The response upon hearing the news from all at Reading has been overwhelming and I am incredibly grateful for my time here.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to have been offered this opportunity and I can't think of a more perfect job for me as it combines film and Radio 1, two things I talk about constantly! I know this will be an incredible experience and I can't wait to get started.
Rhianna's first on air review will be on Greg James' show on Friday 1st April.
The news coincides with the completion of the University' s new home for its Department of Film, Theatre & TV. It will be known as the Minghella Building, in honour of Anthony Minghella, the award-winning playwright, screenwriter and director, who sadly died in 2008.
The Minghella Building is due to complete in April 2011 with staff from the Department moving from their current home on the Bulmershe Campus during the Easter break.
The £11 million project will include a state-of-the-art cinema with high definition digital projection and 7.1 surround sound, two fully-equipped theatre spaces, a multi-camera TV studio and mixing gallery, an experimental performance space and a sound studio to create exciting, original sound tracks for film, theatre or television.
Dr Lisa Purse, a lecturer in the Department of Film, Theatre and Television, facilitated the Radio 1 visit to the University at which Rhianna was spotted.
She said: "Everyone within the Department is delighted for Rhianna. She is extremely talented and has a passion for film so this opportunity is richly deserved. We wish her great success in her new role.
"These are exciting times for Film, Theatre and Television at Reading. The Minghella building with its state-of-the-art facilities will mean we can continue to produce graduates of the highest calibre, while providing a dynamic, flexible space for creative practice and interdisciplinary research excellence in these three major cultural art forms.
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Further press information from James Barr, University of Reading press office, 0118 378 7115, j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk