Having listened to BBC Asian Network growing up, Bablu jumped at the chance when he saw that they were looking for new presenters as part of their Asian Network Represents for 2026–27
Bablu Shikdar, a radio presenter from Cardiff who will be the first ever Welshman to front BBC Asian Network later this year(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)
Bablu Shikdar is a 26-year-old content creator, motivational speaker and presenter from Cardiff. Later this summer he’ll be adding another role to his CV – when he becomes the first ever Welsh presenter of BBC Asian Network.
Bablu, from Fairwater in Cardiff, started his career interning with ITV Cymru Wales, where one of his colleagues suggested he tried out community radio, and he discovered Radio Platfform at the Wales Millennium Centre.
A course on presenting with the youth-led radio station followed and ever since he’s been using practising, honing his skills and even teaching the next generation of radio broadcasters. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
Having listened to BBC Asian Network growing up, Bablu jumped at the chance when he saw the network was looking for new presenters as part of their Asian Network Represents for 2026–27. He said he was proud to be the first Welsh presenter on the network, and was looking forward to showing how talented the Welsh are.
Bablu said: “I’m pretty sure I’m the first Welsh presenter on BBC Asian Network.”
“I think a lot of people’s perception of Wales or Cardiff, is just sheep or Gareth Bale, there’s so much more than that.
“We have one of the most amazing, talented, creative scenes ever. We have such passionate people, you knows, singers, dancers, actors, fashion, all those kind of things.
“Within Wales there’s such a talented cohort of creatives and all they need is that a chance and I think within Wales to be able to have that representation, it’s beautiful.
“There’s so many people that I’m like, ‘you’d be great, just lean into it.’ It could be things like, ‘oh, but I’m from this ethnicity, I’m from this background’, but trust me that’s what makes you unique and that’s what’s beautiful. Embrace all the parts that make you, you.”
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Bablu says he sometimes struggled to embrace his Bengali culture growing up.
“I remember when I was younger, I was one of a few people from different ethnic backgrounds.
“When you’re younger, you just try to kind of fit in and you kind of disregard certain parts of your heritage and whatnot.
“As I got older, I just fell in love. I fell in love with my name, I fell in love with my culture, the language, and it’s very similar to the Welsh language in that sense of like mother tongue and an understanding. There’s different ways of saying, ‘I love you’.
“I grew up watching Bollywood films, like my dad and my mam would play it all the time. They’re very vibrant, colourful, family-orientated films, and some of the best love stories in the world but I think growing up, it has been difficult, don’t get me wrong. There have been really tough times just because you kind of look different, and I think in terms of identity and feeling Welsh, not feeling Welsh, not feeling entirely Bengali, all those kind of things.
“But you know what, I am every part of that and that’s what makes me me. It’s kind of a beautiful mix.”
He will move to Birmingham in June to present his own show on BBC Asian Network for the whole month.
“I’m just looking forward to having a good time. I’m a very vibrant person.
“My whole thing, my whole motto, my whole life purpose of why I do what I do is laugh, learn, inspire. It’s been like that ever since I was in uni.
“Everything that I do it’s to laugh, it’s to learn and to hopefully raise aspirations and inspire people. So, when I’m on air, I’m just being me and having a good time, just sharing laughs, to be honest and playing really good music,” he says.
Bablu credits his dad for his love of BBC Asian Network, and says he inspired him.(Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline)
Growing up he’d listen to the station with his father.
“I think that’s what I’m most looking forward to and it’s the fact to share those stories with my dad and hopefully other British South Asians who maybe feel a little bit disconnected, but are now able to connect with their culture. Because there’s a whole diaspora out there who feel kind of like it’s either one or two, but no, you can incorporate both of them. I think that’s what I’m kind of looking forward to most.”
Bablu was inspired by his father and his love for their Bengali culture(Image: Bablu Shikdar)
The 26-year-old hopes that his month-long appearance on BBC Asian Network will inspire others to take a similar leap to follow their dreams. He said: ” I just want to tell everyone to all the people in in Wales lean into yourself showcase part of yourself whether it be an accent where you’re from, family, whatever it is lean into who you already are you don’t need to be like someone else. We are Welsh and proud. We’re loud and proud as well.”