Three winners announced for BBC’s New Voices Bradford

The BBC has handpicked three winners to be the “voices of Bradford” for the UK City of Culture in 2025.

Irene Kaali, 30, Humaira Bham, 25, and Olivia Wright, 25, will be at the heart of the BBC’s coverage of the UK City of Culture, which is being spearheaded by BBC Radio Leeds.

On Tuesday 30th April, the BBC’s New Voices Bradford winners were announced on ‘The One Show’ on BBC One by head judge Anita Rani.

The trio from West Yorkshire were selected after a four-week talent search by BBC Radio Leeds which generated hundreds of entries.

BBC Radio Leeds asked member of the public to record a 45-sceond video of themselves, describing what the city means to them. The BBC team helped people to enter by doing a week of community outreach in Bradford, engaging with local people in their own city.

The talent search was also supported by a number of Bradford-born celebrities, including Anita Rani, Kimberley Walsh and Jonny Bairstow.

An expert panel of TV presenter Anita Rani, BBC Radio Leeds Breakfast Presenter Rima Ahmed, BBC Radio Leeds Executive Editor Simon Monk, and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture’s Creative Director Shanaz Gulzar judged the 14 finalists at Sunbridgewells in the city centre on Sunday 28th April.

Each finalist was given two minutes to impress the judges who scored them on their ability to communicate their vision, creativity and innovation of audition, passion for the district of Bradford, and understanding of the UK City of Culture 2025.

Olivia did an impassioned and funny audition, Humaira read out an emotional poem about her heritage and family, and Irene belted out an original song she penned herself.

The panel praised the winners for their heart, authenticity, warmth, and passion for their home city.

Irene Kaali, who is a Zumba instructor from Bradford, says: “My background is in theatre so I’ve done a million auditions in my life and sometimes you go into an audition scenario and you know you’ve got the look or have the talent but with this there was no way to tell.

“Ultimately, I’ve always just wanted to spend my life doing something that I can be proud of that goes beyond me, so this is everything I could have dreamed of. I’m just going to try and live in the moment, enjoy it, and be proud of it.

“The reaction {when the winners were announced} from everyone was so symbolic of Bradford. There was never any competition in that room, everyone was for each other, supporting each other so we won together as a team.”

Humaira Bham, who is an Optometrist from Batley, says: “I feel over the moon. My mum came up to me, she was moved to tears. If I can make my mum that proud it makes me so happy.”

Olivia Wright, who works as a car sales advisor from Bradford, says: “It’s overwhelming but it feels right at the same time.

“I applied because I want to be part of the movement that brings about change in Bradford. This city inspires me every day. I was born here, I have grown up here. I want people to love it the same way I do.”

Head judge Anita Rani says: “The standard was incredibly high. I know lots of people who judge talent shows say this but genuinely it was really difficult. Ultimately, we could only pick three people and we picked the three who had the highest scores and I’m very happy it’s three female winners!

“They had heart, authenticity, warmth. There was something in their eyes and it was their passion for Bradford. They’re all in love with the place. They’re all very different and all have very different stories but that in itself is a reflection of the city.

“People from Bradford have always known how special it is and it’s time for us to show the world but also own our own narrative. Too many people who haven’t been here have an opinion of the place. This is the time for this city that cultured me to have its moment to shine.”

Bradford is one of the most diverse places in the country and the UK’s youngest City. Its UK City of Culture year will take place in 2025 and will be a celebration of its vibrant cultural scene. The year of culture is set to deliver more than 1,000 performances working with people from all over the district.

UK City of Culture has had a transformational impact on previous host cities, such as Coventry 2021, securing millions of pounds of investment and acting as a catalyst for creative place-making and culture-led regeneration.

The winners of the talent search will get a foot in the door at the BBC while working alongside much-loved presenters like Rima Ahmed and Gayle Lofthouse on BBC Radio Leeds.

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director at Bradford 2025, says: “Thank you to everyone who auditioned for BBC New Voices Bradford, it’s been a joy seeing everyone’s passion for our city and district.

“The BBC New Voices scheme is one of the many ways we’re working with the BBC to showcase Bradford and the people who make our city so vibrant. Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 is going to be transformational for the district and is an opportunity for us to celebrate the talent and creativity that exists right here in Bradford.

“I am looking forward to working with the winners to capture the buzz of our city and to showcase our exciting plans for 2025 – watch this space!”