Trevor Nelson

Trevor Ricardo Nelson (born 7 January 1964) is a British DJ and radio presenter. He is best known for presenting a range of shows across BBC Radio.

Early life Trevor Ricardo Nelson was born on 7 January 1964 in Hackney to a family of St Lucian heritage, Nelson attended Central Foundation Boys' Grammar School (now known as Central Foundation Boys' School) in Cowper Street, Islington, and Westminster Kingsway College. His first job was in a shoe shop, but his love of music meant a part-time role as a DJ.

Nelson found daytime work at a record importer in 1985, and widened his DJ experience putting on "warehouse parties" at the weekends.

Trevor was the club promotions manager for Cooltempo / EMI promoting artists such as Gang Starr and Arrested Development. He went onto become head of A&R and was instrumental in the careers of artists such as D'Angelo, Mica Paris and Lynden David Hall. and moving to Saturday and Sundays 47pm, showcasing the best in new and old R&B music, with DJ Ace taking over his slot. He had held this slot since 2011 after leaving the 1Xtra breakfast show which he presented with Gemma Cairney and previously Zena McNally.

In 2010 he was awarded with the special gold lifetime achievement award for his services to broadcasting, at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.

On 21 March 2017 he was a presenter for Sara Cox's Red Nose Day danceathon from 2am to 5am.

In August 2017, April 2018, and again in August 2018, Trevor sat in for Ken Bruce on his Radio 2 show.

On 29 October 2018 it was announced Sara Cox would take over drivetime on Radio 2. As a result, from January 2019 Trevor Nelson's Rhythm Nation would move to Monday-Thursday 22:00–00:00.

In 2022 Nelson hosted Exodus: Bob Marley Reimagined; the BBC concert took place to mark the 60th anniversary of Jamaican Independence.

On 2 January 2025, he hosted the final Rhythm Nation show on Radio 2, and on 27 January took over the weekday afternoon show 2 to 4pm on BBC Radio 2, replacing Scott Mills who moved to The Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

Club career Nelson set up his Madhatter Soul Sound System in the 80s (warehouse) Behind the decks Nelson cut his teeth as a DJ at the Africa Centre with Soul II Soul and promoted numerous club nights such as:

MTV Lick parties, hosted for five years in the 90s around the UK and Europe. 11 Years residency in Global Room nightclub in Pacha, Ibiza. Dance Wicked residencies at The Wag Club and Borderline. Promoted numerous warehouse parties in the 80s.

Nelson continues to DJ around the UK and Europe. Nelson currently owns and promotes his touring club brand 'Soul Nation' which is popular up and down the country.

Television career Nelson first appeared on television in 1998 on MTV UK and presenting The Lick on MTV Base off the back of his first RnB show on Radio 1. He featured on the judging panel for Channel 4 programme Chancers in 2004, and Just the Two of Us in 2006 and 2007.

Nelson has worked on numerous BBC shows that include: Holiday: you call the shots, Trevor Nelson's Urban Choice, The Players club series, and he presented the coverage of the FIFA World Cup concert in South Africa for BBC Two in 2010.

Nelson holds the distinction of being the first black person to appear on Channel 5, appearing at 10:37pm on The Jack Docherty Show.

Nelson regularly appears as a pundit on programmes where celebrities recall their detailed memories of popular culture. He also provided commentary on the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.

Personal life

Nelson is married. They have a son, and he also has a daughter from a previous relationship. He also has a home in Saint Lucia.

In June 2026, Nelson announced that he would step back from work commitments due to health issues.

Awards

Best DJ – MOBO Award 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2008 2002 — Honoured an MBE for his work with millennium volunteer The Gold Award — Sony Radio Academy Awards 2010 The Arqiva Hall of Fame 2014 Best presenter — APAs Awards 2018 and 2019 Music Magazine Award Boisdale DJ Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 The Ivors Academy Gold Badge — 2019 ARIA Award — Windrush 75, marked the 75th anniversary of Windrush and celebrated the impact of Caribbean culture on British life

Compilations

Nelson has released nine compilation albums, INCredible Sound of Trevor Nelson, The Soul Nation and Lick compilations. His most recent compilation album is The Trevor Nelson Collection. Picking up where his Lick compilations left off, he shares his favourite R&B, Soul and Rap classics from over the decades.

1997 - Nu Classic Soul 1999 – INCredible Sound of Trevor Nelson 2000 – Trevor Nelson’s Rhythm Nation 2003 – Trevor Nelson’s Soul Nation 2003 – The Lick: Best of 2013 – The Trevor Nelson Collection 2014 – The Trevor Nelson Collection 2 2015 – The Trevor Nelson Collection 3 2016 – Trevor Nelson Club Classics 2019 – Soul Selection