BBC news reporter shocks fans after sharing shocking throwback pictures of ‘amateur’ rave days as drum ‘n’ bass DJ

Who knew Ros Atkins spent his teenage years as a DJ? (Picture: BBC/Twitter)

While viewers are used to seeing BBC journalist Ros Atkins discussing serious topics on the screen, he recently provided his followers with a personal insight into his teenage years – and the contrast is shocking.

The broadcaster – who was recently praised for his explainer video over the Downing Street party – shocked his Twitter followers as he revealed he was a heavy drum and bass enthusiast in the 90s.

Atkins uploaded a detailed timeline on Twitter, sharing the history behind his love for the genre as well as where he performed across the country.

He tweeted: ‘Now here’s a story. Back in the 90s, along with lots of teenagers in Cornwall, I started going to raves & listening to hardcore and drum & bass.

‘I also started to DJ. Inspired by @therealLTJbukem @DJHYPE_PLAYAZ @KennyDJKen @RAYKEITH1 and others I started to buy a lot of D&B and, through my 20s, in a very amateur fashion, I DJed a range of music in London, Cornwall & Cambridge. This is at a night I ran in Brixton.’

Fans and celebrities alike were taken aback by the revelation as TV chef Nigella Lawson simply replied: ‘Fabulous.’

One person wrote: ‘Legend. What a thread! Thank you,’ while another joked: ‘I saw a turntable when you were broadcasting from home when you had the virus. I wondered what kind of music. I had you pegged for a country fan.’

The Outside Source presenter has returned back to his music passions for one night only as he has created a special mix, which was played at BBC Radio 6 Music’s Desert Island Disco All-Dayer.

Speaking to The i, Atkins said: ‘I caught the rave bug growing up in Cornwall in the early 90s. When I was at University I thought “maybe I could play this music myself as a DJ?”‘

Ros revealed his secret talent for spinning tracks (Picture: @BBCRosAtkins/Twitter)

DJ Atkins in the house (Picture:@BBCRosAtkins/Twitter)

He said the tunes he selected were inspired after some ‘brilliant pre-COVID nights’ spent at the Electric Brixton music venue.

‘This is an unexpected and exciting development for me, Atkins added.

‘I had some brilliant nights playing at a backstreet club in Brixton where the DJ booth was high up in the ceiling.

More: BBC

‘But I haven’t DJ’d for 16 years so when 6 Music asked I said “yes, please.”‘

He added: ‘I loved dancing to legends like DJ Storm, Dillinja, and LTJ Bukem.’

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