Johnny Lewis
Johnny Lewis’s enduring passion for radio originated during his school days as an avid listener of Radio Caroline. Following a brief tenure in agriculture after graduation, his trajectory shifted dramatically in 1978. Johnny traveled to the North Sea to assist with generator repairs aboard the Radio Caroline ship; however, when a scheduled presenter fell ill with seasickness, Johnny was asked to step in. This serendipitous moment marked the beginning of a distinguished career in broadcasting.
Following the sinking of the Mi Amigo in 1980, Johnny joined The Voice of Peace, broadcasting from a ship off the coast of Tel Aviv to audiences across the Middle East. By 1981, he had relocated to Ireland to cultivate his craft on land-based stations, including Dublin’s Sunshine Radio and Radio Nova, as well as South Coast Radio in Cork.
The mid-1980s saw a return to offshore broadcasting. Johnny was instrumental in the launch of Laser 730 (later Laser 558) and subsequently rejoined Radio Caroline aboard its new vessel, the Ross Revenge. During shore leave, he maintained his on-air presence via ABC Radio in Waterford.
In 1987, Johnny transitioned to the UK Independent Local Radio (ILR) sector, joining Radio Wyvern (Hereford and Worcester). His leadership skills led to his appointment as Programme Controller for the Kent-based station Invicta FM, where he also served as a key on-air talent. Since 1998, Johnny has been a staple of the kmfm network, notably serving as one of the inaugural presenters on TLR 107.2 and hosting the weekday breakfast show for nearly a decade.
Today, Johnny continues his long-standing relationship with Radio Caroline, presenting from both land and sea now that the station holds a full broadcast license.
Outside the studio, Johnny is a dedicated supporter of the RNLI, an avid golfer, and a walking enthusiast. A connoisseur of soft rock and soul, he is also a sought-after after-dinner speaker, specialising in the history of offshore radio. While he claims expertise in beer tasting, he maintains a professional promise to keep all beverages safely away from the broadcast equipment.
