Greg James reveals his 'secret' real name, 17 years after debuting on BBC Radio 1

Greg James has revealed that his on-air nickname is not actually his real name after 17 years on air.

The Radio 1 morning show presenter, 38, admitted she had chosen her well-known surname in 2007, shortly before it was discovered by the BBC.

Greg reveals that his real name is Greg Millward and explains that James is actually his middle name and that he chose it as his surname in the hope that it would appeal to BBC bosses while he was presenting student radio.

Speaking on Cathy Burke's Where's a Will, There's a Wake podcast, Greg said: 'I'm writing a book. This is my first non-fiction book for adults. It's coming out next year and I was writing a chapter under my name.

'It has become a secret, but it is not a secret. Greg James is not my full name.

The Radio 1 morning show presenter, 38, admitted she had chosen her well-known surname shortly before it was discovered by the BBC in 2007; Image 2018

He continued: 'I was looking at Sarah Cox, Scott Mills. So my full name, my last name is Milward. It's like the name of a teacher. It's like the name of a director. Greg Millward.

'My father was a director and I thought, “Well, it's not that great.” “I don't like it very much.” So I chose Greg James.”

However, the radio star admitted that if he could go back in time, he would have chosen something different.

He said: 'What I regret is having thought about it because at that moment Radio 1 saw me; I basically won the award and Radio 1 got in touch and before I knew it I was doing a test show for them and Greg James appeared in the Radio Times, in the charts, and I thought: “It's too late, I can do it.” Don't change it now.”

“Then it went on and on and now I can't change it, there's nothing I can do about it. I don't mind. It's a good radio name, but it should have been more imaginative.

Cathy replied, “No, no, because Greg James, as you say, had bang bang.”

Last month, Greg unveiled a statue honoring Britain's most famous duck, which became an online sensation due to its unusually large neck.

Long Boi arrived at York University in 2019 and went viral after a social media post incorrectly described him as the “tallest mallard ever… over 1m tall”, but then It measured around 70 cm.

Greg reveals that his real name is Greg Millward and explains that James is actually his middle name, which he chose as his surname in the hope that it would appeal to BBC bosses while he was presenting student radio.

Greg said: '[My name] It became a secret, but it wasn't a secret. Greg James is not my full name. So my last name is Milward. It's the name of an author, like Greg Millward. So I chose Greg James.

Over the years, Long Boi has amassed a large following on Instagram with a fan account of over 60,000 followers and appearances on James Gordon's Late Late Show and BBC Radio 1.

But in May 2023, the university said it believed Long Boi was dead after disappearing for two months.

A statue commemorating the “life and legacy” of Long Boi was unveiled last month. Greg on his BBC Radio 1 show.

At the ceremony in the university's Central Hall, Greg, dressed in funeral attire including a veil, said: “When I first spoke about Long Boi on the Radio One breakfast show in May 2021, I didn't make any passing comments. about it. . The tallest duck will come to this after three years.

'Hundreds of people are here to remember and celebrate. Millions of people now listen to the ceremony on the radio and even more people around the world follow the story.

“So thank you to everyone who takes the time out of your day to listen to this ridiculous event and thank you for being here today,” according to Yorkmix.

'Some of you may not understand why we are doing this today… But stupid things are important, stupid things get us through the day, look, stupid things bring us together.

'Our favorite animals accompany us during the day.

“We love them because they bring out the best in us, and when you have the opportunity to celebrate silliness and animals at the same time, you have to grab it with both hands.

“So without further ado, let's all celebrate the life of Britain's tallest duck.”

A sculpture of the mallard, the Indian racer, will stand next to Derwent College's lake on campus, which was its favorite spot, the college said.

Last month, Gregg unveiled a statue honoring Britain's most famous duck, which caused an internet sensation due to its unusually large neck.

It comes after Greg was horrified to see his dog Barney crash onto a train earlier this year in front of shocked passengers.

He said the clay mold of the life-size statue was sculpted by award-winning wildlife sculptor Neil Mason before being sent to Greece to be cast into bronze.

The university's Student Union raised money for the statue, which it said would ensure Long Boi “lives forever in our hearts.”

It comes after Greg is horrified when his dog Barney crashes on a train in front of shocked passengers.

DJ was on the train from London Waterloo to the vets to operate on Barney's arthritic knee.

The ride went smoothly until Barney walked up to the door and started taking 'the biggest piss I've ever seen in my life,'” Greg said.

Greg said Veil lasted two minutes and, in a desperate attempt to clean up the mess, he ran to the bathroom to get some tissues.

However, he was forced to abandon Vee's patch as the pair needed to get off at the next stop.

After getting off the train to Portsmouth, Greg approached the guard to apologize.