Born in South London in 1953, Steve Madden has been a keen photographer since the age of nine, achieving his first publication on the front page of his local newspaper at just 14.
After graduating with a degree in English from Cambridge, Madden applied for a BBC graduate training scheme in 1975 but was unsuccessful.
He subsequently trained as a teacher, spending two years in education before reapplying to the BBC in 1978. This time he was accepted, beginning his career as a studio manager in the External (Overseas) Services at Bush House, followed by a year at BBC Radio 4.
His five-decade broadcasting career commenced in 1980, delivering announcements on English by Radio.
Following a successful audition, he was taken on attachment as an announcer and newsreader on the BBC World Service.
He later returned as a stage manager and began writing comedy sketches for Week Ending. A year later, he secured an attachment as a comedy producer in Radio Light Entertainment, working on programmes including Just a Minute.
Madden moved into television on another attachment, serving as a researcher on BBC One’s Parkinson from September 1981 to April 1982. Guests he researched included: Peter Cook; Tim Rice; Les Dawson; Kenneth Williams; Joanna Lumley; Jim Davidson; Cannon and Ball; Roy Castle; Stanley Unwin; Toyah Wilcox; Joan Collins.
In May 1982, he returned to radio on a year’s attachment as an announcer on BBC Radio 4.
The following year, Madden joined BBC Radio 2 as a trainee announcer and newsreader.
In January 1985, he began presenting Nightride, remaining with the programme until 1990.
He continued at the network until 3rd October 1998.
He undertook an attachment as a BBC TV network announcer in 1989 and also voiced BBC television presentation trails around 1990.
Madden joined BBC Radio Cambridgeshire to present a Sunday morning programme from 17th November 1998. He subsequently spent five years hosting the evening show at BBC Three Counties, where his handovers with legendary radio presenter Keith Skues became much talked about.
Through former BBC Radio 2 colleague Patrick Lunt, he joined BFBS in 2003, spending two years continuity announcing and presenting weather forecasts.
In 2005, he joined Media Broadcasting in Newbury, which supplied in-store radio, presenting Lloyds Pharmacy Live, HSBC Live and BUPA Radio.
Having covered the drivetime show at Christmas 1998 on BBC Radio Berkshire, Madden returned to present the weekday breakfast show from 10th July 2006.
He remained without a contract until Covid struck, with his final show airing on 20th March 2020.
He subsequently covered for other presenters for three months when BBC Local Radio schedules were restructured into four-hour programmes.
In January 2024, he moved to produce and present a daily music show for South Coast online station Radio Victory.
Asked in a 2009 BBC press release about his most embarrassing moment on air, Madden recalled:
“A good few years ago, I was doing a rare BBC Radio 1 newsreading shift, which involved reading the news from John Peel’s studio.
“While a record was playing, I told him that he was the single most important influence on my life (and still is).
“Unfortunately, this embarrassed both of us so much that when the record ended, neither of us could speak. The silence seemed to last forever.
“But I’m glad I said it – never got the opportunity again.”
Beyond broadcasting, Madden co-owned a bus company operating eight buses with three former BBC Radio 2 colleagues.
His first book, The Grind, was published by GOST Books in February 2025. The images were all made during the evening peak rush hour over the course of three winters, capturing a small snapshot of the five million bus journeys made in the capital city every day.
Madden would spend mornings on the radio for the BBC, then journey into Central London whenever it rained or when freezing conditions arrived late in the day.
The inclement weather would create condensation on bus windows – a sight familiar to many Londoners – producing the abstract scenes he wished to photograph.
With thanks to Luke Davies from Radio Greats podcast for additional information.
Personal information
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Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Steve Madden (Victory Radio, 2025). COPYRIGHT: Unknown.
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