Capital takes over Spark studios this Sunderland Freshers’ Week

Published on 19, September, 2025

One of the UK’s biggest breakfast radio shows has taken over the Spark studios at the University of Sunderland to kick-start Freshers’ Week.

Presenter Sonny Jay and the team from Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby broadcasted live from the Spark studios at the University’s St. Peter’s Campus to London, giving a returning student the chance to win big.

Lucy Ann Hughes, who studies Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care at the University, joined Alum Jordan, Chris and Sian on air from Sunderland for ‘Crash your Campus’ with eBay.

The Capital Breakfast team included Alum Thomas Hannett, producer on Capital Breakfast, who graduated from the University in 2014 after studying Media Studies.

Thomas said: “It was such a full circle moment for me being able to bring Capital to Spark. Being back at the University of Sunderland where my radio career really began, was so much fun; it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment.”

>

Dr Richard Berry, Associate Professor of Radio and Spark Station Manager at the University, said: “It was great to be able to welcome Capital onto campus to help kick start the new year.

“It was great to see some familiar names and faces, both here and back at their base in London. It certainly generated a real buzz, especially for the student who walked away with some amazing prizes.”

If you’re interested in studying Media Production at the University of Sunderland, find out more here.

Check out the Spark Studios at our next open day. Find out when our next one is here.