James Barr is a multi-award-winning presenter, comedian, influencer, and DJ. He currently hosts the Breakfast Show on Hits Radio every weekday morning with Fleur East and Matt Haslam, winning the Silver Award for Best Breakfast Show at the ARIA Awards in 2020.
In 2024, James returned to the Edinburgh Fringe with his show Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum), which addresses the aftermath of an abusive relationship through stand-up. The show received positive reviews and national coverage in The Guardian and The Independent.
He co-founded and hosts the UK’s leading LGBT+ podcast, A Gay And A Non Gay. In 2022, the podcast won Silver for Best Sex & Relationship Podcast at the British Podcast Awards and was listed among the Top 10 Online Influencers at the British LGBT Awards. It recently performed to sold-out audiences at the Just For Laughs 2023 London Festival at the O2.
James has presented BBC Radio 1’s Sashay To Hell, a documentary highlighting LGBTQ+ representation in the rock and heavy metal music scene. He previously worked as an MTV News presenter, interviewing celebrities like Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, and hosted the podcast When Harry Met Meghan, which covered the royal engagement and wedding in 2017 and earned a spot in the Times Top 50 Podcasts.
He has presented live at events such as the Isle of Wight Festival, Brighton Pride, and Manchester Pride, and served as a red-carpet reporter at the BRIT Awards. His TV appearances include Big Brother’s Bit On The Side, BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, Eurovision: You Decide, and I’m Coming Out.
As a comedian, James toured the UK in early 2023 with his sold-out show Straight Jokes, which was praised for its storytelling. His debut show, Thirst Trap, was also well-received. He founded the LGBT+ stand-up show All Barr Huns, which performed in London, Brighton, and Edinburgh.
In addition to his media work, James writes for Attitude magazine and supports several LGBT+ charities, including Student Pride. He also hosts corporate events, recently presenting for Compare The Market and Lloyds Bank.