BBC Celebrates Momentous Year In Bradford - And Unveils What’s Coming Next

A new Extraordinary Portraits exhibition, a new initiative to find inspiring under 25s, and a major writing scheme are just some of the BBC’s upcoming plans for Bradford - following the city’s defining year as the UK City of Culture.

As an official broadcast partner for Bradford 2025, the BBC delivered standout programming and unforgettable moments across BBC Local on Radio Leeds and Look North, national TV, iPlayer, Radio, Sounds and Online.

Ricky Wilson

I was delighted to get the call from Bill and jumped at the chance to join the Extraordinary Portraits family. Art has always been close to my heart, and it’s now great to be putting my experience to the test. I’m also really pleased that we’re announcing the new series in Bradford. Growing up in West Yorkshire gave me a love of creativity, humour and community, and seeing the city buzzing with culture over the past year has made me prouder than ever. I can’t wait for people to see the incredible talent on display.Ricky Wilson, lead singer for the Kaiser ChiefsFrom October 2024 to December 2025, a total of 26.1 million people across the UK watched BBC content celebrating Bradford on TV and iPlayer (the equivalent of 42% of the UK population). In addition, content about Bradford was also seen more than 26 million times in 2025 across various BBC Local social media channels.

During its partnership with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, the BBC platformed the city’s unique voice with homegrown storytelling - including AA Dhand’s crime-drama Virdee for BBC One, the documentary Sing When You’re Winning, and Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire.

The BBC also brought all six radio networks to the district, along with over 70 programmes and BBC projects. These included BBC One’s The One Show and Morning Live, who visited on a number of occasions, and other high-profile programmes such as Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile, and Bargain Hunt.

Within the local area, a total of 2.6 million people have watched BBC content celebrating Bradford on TV iPlayer, equivalent to 45% of the Yorkshire/Lincolnshire population. Meanwhile, 6.4 million online accounts have accessed Bradford content via iPlayer, Sounds or BBC News Online.

Now, the BBC is cementing its commitment to Bradford with new talent pathways and an expanded presence in the city.

A live conversation between Katrina Bunker, the BBC’s Head of Yorkshire, and Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025, will reflect on the partnership’s achievements and outline future ambitions during an event on 11 February at Bradford Live.

Hosted by one of Bradford’s BBC New Voices winners Irene Kaali, the day will also spotlight the success of Bantam of the Opera - the choir launched by BBC Radio Leeds whose performances have captured the imagination of the nation.

There will be a live performance from the choir, followed by a Q&A with the team behind the project.

To continue on the success in the city the BBC announced future plans too, including:
Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey Season 5, featuring Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson and produced by Chatterbox Media for BBC Arts. An exhibition featuring the artwork produced in the series will return to Bradford’s Loading Bay arts venue in May 2026.
Write Across Bradford, a major new writing programme led by BBC Writers in partnership with five local cultural organisations (Screen Yorkshire, New Writing North, Word Up North, Bradford Producing Hub and Bradford Arts Centre), with Virdee writer AA Dhand supporting the scheme as an ambassador.
20 Under 25, celebrating the city’s most inspiring young people.
BBC Radio Leeds have an office at Bradford College, where journalists who focus on stories from the city can work on content for radio, TV and online in the region. This is part of a new partnership which sees BBC journalists working alongside the College's media students and broadcasters of the future.

Bradford's UK City of Culture year has been transformative for the whole area and the BBC is proud to have been at the heart of it.

Today is about celebrating what we achieved together - amplifying Bradford's story and showcasing the great people of the District not just regionally but nationally and internationally.

We're also making it clear that the BBC's commitment to Bradford is long-term - we want to keep working together to shine a light on the creativity, ambition and talent there is here.Katrina Bunker, Head of BBC Yorkshire, says

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director, Bradford 2025, says:
“The BBC has been an exceptional partner - bold, collaborative and deeply rooted in the life of the city and the district. Together we’ve created work that reflects Bradford back to itself with pride, while sharing our stories with audiences across the UK. This legacy event marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”


Lesley Garrett, Ambassador for Bantam of the Opera, says:
“Bantam of the Opera has captured the heart of Bradford. What started as a local choir has become a symbol of everything this city stands for - people from every walk of life coming together with pride and passion.”