Big Al
Weekdays, 10am–1pm
If you've ever wondered what would happen if someone gave a microphone to a bloke with an opinion on absolutely everything... welcome to Big Al.
As co-founder and Director of Nifty UK Radio, Alan "Big Al" Nield has poured his heart, soul and more than a few sleepless nights into building the station from the ground up. What started as an ambitious idea has grown into one of Greater Manchester's fastest-growing radio stations, built on a simple belief: people deserve better radio.
Big Al isn't interested in playing it safe. His show is packed with famous tunes, plenty of laughs, listener interaction and the sort of observations that will either have you nodding in agreement or shouting back at the radio. Either way, you'll never be bored.
Alongside Producer Tim (yes, that Tim Shaw from Car SOS), the pair bounce off each other like old mates down the pub. Their long-standing friendship means no subject is off limits, no joke is planned and no one is safe from a little good-natured mickey-taking. It's radio that feels real, unscripted and brilliantly unpredictable.
Music has always been at the heart of Big Al's philosophy. Every track on Nifty UK Radio has earned its place. If it isn't instantly recognisable, brilliantly produced or capable of making you say, "What a tune!", it probably won't make the playlist.
When he's not behind the microphone, Big Al is busy developing new ideas for the station, building partnerships across Greater Manchester and proving that local radio can still entertain, inform and bring communities together.
Passionate, opinionated and never knowingly short of something to say, Big Al believes radio should make you smile, surprise you and keep you coming back for more.
Spend Your Morning with Big Al
Join Big Al every weekday from 10am until 1pm on Nifty UK Radio.
Broadcasting across Greater Manchester on DAB, online and on your smart speaker.
Nifty UK Radio – Famous Tunes. Big Sounds. Zero Fillers.
Quick Fire with Big Al
🎵 Favourite Song: Everyday – Incognito
🎬 Favourite Film: Pretty Peaches (We'll leave that one there... Google it at your own risk!)
🍛 Favourite Food: A proper Chicken Madras.
☕ Tea or Coffee: Nescafé Gold Blend Intense No.9. Nothing else will do.
🤿 Biggest Guilty Pleasure: Stupidly deep scuba dives. If there's a wreck to explore or a challenge to conquer, Big Al will probably be heading deeper than he should!
🎤 Dream Concert: Front row at a Billy Joel concert... with Sir Paul McCartney making a surprise guest appearance. Now that would be a night to remember.
💬 Three Words Friends Use to Describe Him: Honest. Integrity. Velocity.
"Life's too short for average music, average radio or average adventures."
