London Greek Radio

The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, have compiled useful support information for our UK Cypriot diaspora and Cypriot nationals currently in the UK. This initiative is also supported by the Presidential Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus.

We will continue to update this page, so if you know a service that we should be including please let us know, by email: enquiries@cypriotfederation.org.uk. Also, subscribe to our mailing by clicking here to get our regular updates.

London Greek Radio – working together with partners, businesses and organisations to support our communities.

Shopping/delivery support
If you are elderly, or vulnerable, and need help getting food or essential supplies, email us at enquiries@cypriotfederation.org.uk, or call us on 0208 4459999. We will put you in touch with a team of young volunteers, organised by NEPOMAK UK, who can help you.

Areas covered include North, Central & East London; Manchester; Canterbury; Colchester; Glasgow; Hertfordshire; Ipswich; Harlow; Bury St Edmunds Newmarket; Red Lodge; Kentford; Stansted; Bishop’s Stortford; Saffron Walden; Harlow; Buntingford; Hertford; Birchanger; and Newport. These areas depend on volunteer availability, so may increase as we find more volunteers. Please do check back if you cant see your area on the list.

More HERE

Top 40 London Greek Radio ‘Airplay Chart’

The Monthly Chart, which covers March 2nd to March 30th, 2020.

The biggest, most in demand hit songs in the Chart.

1 Giorgos Livanis, Areti Ketime – Ela Apopse
2 Christina Salti, Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
3 Helena Paparizou, Sakis Rouvas – Etsi Einai I Fasi
4 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
5 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Val’to Terma
6 Elli Kokkinou – Taxe Mou
7 Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteftika
8 Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vradi
9 Stelios Legakis – Perasmena Xehasmena
10 Anastasios Rammos – Se Dyo Mono Matia

11 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Kathimerina
12 Giorgos Sabanis – Allaxe Ta Ola
13 Ilias Kampakakis – Se Synantisa
14 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
15 Apostolia Zoi, Nino – Esy
16 Andromachi – Na ‘soun Psema
17 Christos Cholidis – Pali Sto Spiti Mou Charamata
18 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
19 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
20 Ilias Vrettos – I Agapi Mporei

21 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
22 Christos Mastoras – Den Echo Idea
23 Nikos Apergis – Ego O Dinatos
24 Peggy Zina – Mesa Mou Kati Egine
25 Giannis Vardis, Giorgos Lianos – Emeis I Dio
26 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
27 Ivi Adamou feat. Konnie Metaxa – Pao
28 Zanis Knock Out, Panos Myrianthous – Moro Mou
29 Eirini Papadopoulou, Stamatis Houhoulis – Halali
30 Natasa Theodoridou – Chartopolemos

31 Kings, Giannis Ploutarhos – Oso Tha Leipeis
32 Alcatrash – Xana
33 Kelly Kelekidou – Gia Chari Sou
34 Kostas Doxas – Seri
35 Nikos Vertis – Allaxa
36 Alkistis Protopsalti, Antonis Remos – S’Agapo
37 Christos Dantis – Pros To Paron
38 Stefania – Superg!rl
39 Stan – De Me Xereis
40 Melina, Michalis Hatzigiannis – Love, Love, Love

Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves

Source: London Greek Radio, Official UK Airplay Chart,
The Official Radio Monitor.

March 2nd to 30th 2020 inclusive

London Greek Radio is showing love to all our NHS workers by supporting #ClapForOurCarers this Thursday night.

This is something which affects us all, in London, whole of UK, and the World, the like of which has never been seen ever before.

The spread of coronavirus across the globe has forced us to stop doing things that for so long we’ve taken for granted…

Our favourite sports postponed, the Eurovision Song Contest especially Greek/Cypriot fans, the gigs/concerts of our favourite artists, our favourite restaurants, local businesses and community places, our Greek Orthodox Church services suspended.

We’re being asked to change a lot from our daily routine… social distancing, to self-isolate, in order to save lives.

The NHS heroes on the front-line deserve our recognition. The nurses, doctors, GP’s and carers for their ongoing hard work and fight against the virus. This is only the beginning of what looks set to be a challenging and difficult few months… we here at LGR want them to know, on behalf of you and everybody listening right now – how much they are appreciated… Which is why, this Thursday, we’re coming together, for them.

The hash-tag #ClapForOurCarers has been trending on social media in the last few days – and this Thursday – us here at LGR, along with the wider British public will be taking a minute out to ‘Applaud Our NHS Heroes’.

At 8pm on Thursday night – we’ll stop everything – to take a minute to put our hands together and make some noise for the doctors, nurses, carers, GP’s, pharmacists and all the NHS staff who are working hard to help those affected by coronavirus.

And we want you to join us – so, make sure you’ve got LGR on – this Thursday, at 8pm… turn your radio up and open your windows and front doors, stand on your balcony or in your garden and show your support.

Join us to create a wave of positivity for our friends in the NHS and let’s really make a difference – as we applaud our NHS heroes this Thursday at 8pm on LGR.

Top 40 London Greek Radio ‘Airplay Chart’

February 01 to February 28, 2020

The LGR Airplay Chart this month.

The biggest, most in demand hit songs in the Chart.

The rankings are based on radio airplay detection as measured by the official ‘UK Airplay Chart’.

The latest and greatest Greek tunes and the Best New Music on LGR…

1 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
2 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
3 Anastasios Rammos – Se Dyo Mono Matia
4 Giorgos Livanis, Areti Ketime – Ela Apopse
5 Christina Salti, Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
6 Giannis Vardis, Giorgos Lianos – Emeis I Dio
7 Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vradi
8 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
9 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Val’to Terma
10 Natasa Theodoridou – Chartopolemos

11 Apostolia Zoi, Nino – Esy
12 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
13 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Kathimerina
14 Ivi Adamou feat. Konnie Metaxa – Pao
15 Eirini Papadopoulou, Stamatis Houhoulis – Halali
16 Nikos Apergis – Ego O Dinatos
17 Christos Menidiatis – Stin Avli Tis
18 Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteftika
19 Despina Vandi – Esto Ligo Akoma
20 Eirini Papadopoulou – Koita Min Aggizeis

21 Elli Kokkinou – Taxe Mou
22 Peggy Zina – Mesa Mou Kati Egine
23 Nikos Vertis – Allaxa
24 Ilias Kampakakis – Se Synantisa
25 Vasilis Dimas, Melina Makri – Ofthalmapati
26 Stan – De Me Xereis
27 Kostas Doxas – Diva
28 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
29 Katy Garbi – Ilios De Vgainei An Den Peis Kalimera
30 Onirama – Pote Den Ksereis

31 Christos Mastoras – Den Exw Idea
32 Helena Paparizou – Haide
33 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
34 Christos Cholidis – Pali Sto Spiti Mou Charamata
35 Christos Menidiatis – Paratise Ta Ola
36 Alkistis Protopsalti, Antonis Remos – S’ Agapo
37 Christos Dantis – Pros To Paron
38 Eleonora Zouganeli – Kapou S’ Eho Xanadi
39 Eleonora Zouganeli – To Kokkino Potami
40 Alcatrash – De M’ Akoumpas

Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves

Source: London Greek Radio, Official UK Airplay Chart
February 1st to 28th 2020 inclusive

Greece has confirmed that Stefania will be the nation’s representative at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam taking place later this year.

The 17-year-old Greek-Dutch singer Stefania Liberakakis will perform in the Eurovision Second Semi-Final at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena, this May. She was born in Utrecht in the Netherlands to Greek parents from Sofiko Evrou in Greece.

The Greek broadcaster ERT announced the artist and song-title ‘Superg!rl’ in an official statement this month. The ethnic up-tempo song, where Stefania sings about the adolescent youth, a self-empowerment song which draws on the innate strength each person possesses against which battling challenging situations, or issues.

Stefania had taken to Instagram thanked the Greek delegation and responded she was “proud” to be flying the Greek colours at the Eurovision, told music fans.

The Eurovision veteran Dimitris Kontopoulos and music production ARCADE, composed and produced the tune, co-written the lyrics with Sharon Vaughn. The Creative Director Fokas Evangelinos will be responsible for the stage show, well-known in Eurovision circles, for numerous impressive stage acts in the contest.

The songwriters confirmed a modern ethnic up-tempo dance-pop track for Greece, with Greek instruments. The producers describe a “radio-friendly current hit song” with immense potential, standing out amongst the competitors in the Eurovision’s line-up.

The Eurovision tune and the official video-clip whose filming was shot in Athens, will be released in March. We at London Greek Radio are super-excited to be premiering our Greek entry very soon…

The Greek Eurovision delegation which included head Dimitri Papadimitriou and spokesperson Maria Koufopoulou chosen the so-called ‘Dream Team’ earlier this year.

In 2016, Stefania represented The Netherlands at Junior Eurovision in Malta, as part of the three-piece girl group Kisses. Their upbeat song ‘Kisses and Dancin’ placed eighth in the contest.

Stefania came to fame in 2014, when she participated on The Voice Kids. After wowing judges with her audition performance of Alicia Keys’ ‘No One’, Stefania made it as far as the Battle round before being eliminated. She also sang as part of the Dutch children’s choir Kinderen voor Kinderen.

More recently, Stefania has worked on her solo pop career. Late last year, Stefania released ‘Turn Around’, a sophisticated contemporary pop track. Her debut single in 2018, ‘Stupid Reasons’ reached No1 in the Kids Top 20, a hit single, composed and written by J Joachim Vermeulen Windsant and Maarten ten Hove. In March last year she released the single ‘Wonder’ which was the soundtrack to the animation film ‘Wonder Park’.

Stefania has also been working on her pop career in Greece. Last summer, she performed at the Mad VMA music awards, as part of an all-girl cover of Daddy Yankee’s ‘Con calma’ along with Ilenia Williams and Konnie Metaxa.

As well as singing, Stefania also has an acting career. She has starred in the Dutch high school mockumentary Brugklas, the recent dystopian action film De club van lelijke kinderen (The club of ugly children) and made an appearance in the teen comedy 100% Coco New York.

The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals are on 12th and 14th May, with the Grand Final on Saturday 16th May 2020.

Stefania will perform ‘Superg!rl’ in the Second Semi-Final on Thursday 14th May.

London Greek Radio wishes Stefania and Greece the best of luck in the Eurovision.

Cypriot leukaemia sufferers have 20% chance of a donor match help improve the odds for Stella.

Before Christmas, an urgent bone marrow appeal was launched for Stella Charalambous, a 45-year-old mother of one who has leukaemia. Among those spearheading the campaign to find her a blood donor match is her friend of 34 years, Naz Hassan.

The two, pictured above with another close friend Tina Agsti, are originally from North London, and while Stella and her family now live in Cyprus, the ladies have remained in close contact.

Stella’s appeal for a donor was initiated by Tina, who teamed up with Androulla Stylianou, head of the UK-based Leukaemia Cancer Society (020 8374 4821), a vital support organisation for numerous Greek and Turkish Cypriots seeking blood donors.

Stella’s friends quickly rallied round, sharing details of the appeal online and with ethnic community media. They have also distributed flyers and posters in North London, where there is a large Cypriot community, in a bid to drive up registration numbers and help find a donor for their seriously ill friend.

Their appeal is supported by British blood charity DKMS, which can arrange a mass swab testing session for groups, or they can send a special kit home for people to do their own swab test.

Currently, the odds of finding a match for Cypriots, whether Greek or Turkish, is very low due to the small number of people from both communities being registered on the global blood register. The two communities share similar genetic codes, making them highly suitable for blood donor matches.

“As a community, we need to pull together. People shouldn’t just read and ignore this appeal. We really have to help each other, as this illness can strike any of us at any age. So please take the (swab) test – your blood could potentially save a life,” urged Ms Hassan.

To help improve the odds of survival for blood cancer patients of Cypriot, Turkish, and Middle Eastern heritage, simply register online at dkms.org.uk for a cheek swab kit. It’s open to all UK residents who are healthy and aged between 17- 55 years of age.

The swab test itself is a painless, 30-second procedure. You use a cotton bud to rub on the inside of your cheek, which is returned to DKMS in a sealed bag. Its labs will do the necessary tests and add your details to the UK blood register, which is accessible to other blood charities worldwide. You only need to do the test once and it will cover you until you reach 55.

Where a match is generated, the process for donating stem cells is far easier and less invasive than previously, and there are no known health risks. You simply give blood, which is used for stem cell treatment of the patient with blood cancer.

The Leukaemia Cancer Society, Tel: 020 8374 4821.

Top 40 London Greek Radio ‘Airplay Chart’

January 04 to January 31, 2020

The LGR Airplay Chart this month. 

The biggest, most in demand hit songs in the Chart.

The rankings are based on radio airplay detection as measured by the official ‘UK Airplay Chart’.

LGR with the latest and greatest Greek hits and best new music…

Listen to your favourite music choices tune in to LGR!

1 Christina Salti, Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
2 Ilias Kampakakis – Se Synantisa
3 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
4 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
5 Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vradi
6 Ivi Adamou feat. Konnie Metaxa – Pao
7 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Val’to Terma
8 Giorgos Livanis, Areti Ketime – Ela Apopse
9 Anastasios Rammos – Se Dyo Mono Matia
10 Melina Aslanidou – I Efchi

11 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
12 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
13 Peggy Zina – Mesa Mou Kati Egine
14 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Kathimerina
15 Christos Cholidis – Pali Sto Spiti Mou Charamata
16 Nikos Vertis – Allaxa
17 Apostolia Zoi, Nino – Esy
18 Panos Kiamos – Mou Stoichizei
19 Despina Vandi – Esto Ligo Akoma
20 Themis Adamantidis – Stin Kardia

21 Elli Kokkinou – Taxe Mou
22 Onirama – Pou Isoun Chtes
23 Natasa Theodoridou – Chartopolemos
24 Paola – Katastrofi
25 Andromachi – Na ‘soun Psema
26 Christos Menidiatis – Paratise Ta Ola
27 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
28 Eirini Papadopoulou – Koita Min Aggizeis
29 Giannis Vardis, Giorgos Lianos – Emeis I Dio
30 Thodoris Ferris – Zise Ti Stigm

31 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
32 Giorgos Sabanis – Allaxe Ta Ola
33 Amaryllis – Matado
34 Konstantinos Argiros – Poso
35 Christos Menidiatis – Stin Avli Tis
36 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – De S’ agapao
37 Kelly Kelekidou – Gia Hari Sou
38 SNIK x Tamta – Senorita
39 Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteftika
40 Thanos Petrelis – Pao Diakopes, Ta Leme

Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves

Source: London Greek Radio, Official UK Airplay Chart
January 4th to 31st 2020 inclusive

Cyprus has confirmed that Sandro Nicholas will be the island’s representative at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam taking place later this year.

The Cypriot broadcaster, CyBC, announced the news to excited Eurovision fans in an official statement towards the end of last year.

The 23-year-old German-Greek is an up-and-coming artist and a star of “The Voice Germany” from 2018. He managed to turn all four chairs with Shawn Mendes’ ‘In my blood’ where he reached the semi-finals.

Sandro Nicholas’ real name is Alessandro Rütten and he was born and bred in Germany, with an American father and a Greek mother from Zakynthos. He speaks Greek and travels to Greece frequently. He plays the drums and guitar and at the age of 15, started to write songs and formed his own rock-band.

Sandro has a soulful, pop and rocky-edged vocal and exudes a confident manner on stage.

As well as ‘The Voice’, Sandro was the American entrant at the New Wave Festival in Russia last summer. One of the judges was the Greek Eurovision hit-maker veteran, Dimitris Kontopoulos, who was said to have put in a word with the decision-makers in Cyprus for Eurovision.

Cypriot bosses have stuck to the format that has served them well in previous years by internal selection of the artist and song.

The formula has yielded fairly good results for Cyprus with Eleni Foureira’s spectacular 2nd place and Tamta scoring 13th in Tel Aviv last year.

Mr Nicholas will face the task to uphold Cyprus’ impressive qualification run, with five qualified entries in a row from 2015 to 2019.

Cyprus received 120 songs, all vying to compete as the island’s act for 2020 and have shortlisted the options to three songs. The exact details about the song will be released at a later date.

CyBC chose Mr Nicholas out of several artists, trusting the young and talented potential to resonate with the Eurovision voter.

Sandro is playing a constructive role in the creative song-writing to the entry, in order to find the killer-tune for this contest. Mr Nicholas has told media, he wants “an emotional song”, one that is a genuine, honest song.

In his interview to Cypriot media, Sandro said, “[I am] absolutely captivated. This country is probably one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to. I’ve been to Zakynthos, Greece. I am Greek, but this place is magical and I’m so honoured and so pleased to be able to represent such an amazing country.”

He added, “It’s an honour for me, [to represent] for the Cypriot flag, and I want to do my very best. It’s fantastic, it’s a dream for me.”

The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals are on 12th and 14th May, with the Grand Final on Saturday 16th May 2020.

London Greek Radio wishes Sandro and Cyprus the best of luck in Eurovision.

Former LGR Presenter and Producer Costas Vorias sadly died on Monday 30th December 2019 in Larnaca, Cyprus.  He was 60 years old.

Mr Vorias was a presenter during the 1980s and 1990s and started at London Greek Radio in 1986 before the station obtained its FM licence.

He coined the phrase on LGR, “Me tou Voria ta kimata sas stelnw xairetismata”.

Costas left LGR in 2002 and re-settled in Larnaca with his family.

He had served as Rentals Manager at Demorilo Holdings in Larnaca and studied “Radio and Media” at Enfield College in North London, graduating in 1989. He was schooled at ‘Pagkiprio Likio’ in his hometown of Larnaca.

The Vorias family have set-up a crowd-funding page called “We’re raising £1,000 to Give Costa the send-off he deserves”.   

The page states, “As an alternative to sending flowers as a mark of respect, the family would welcome a donation to help give Costas the send-off and goodbye he deserves.”

Find out more here: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/in-memory-of-costas

Tony Psilou, Managing Director of LGR said, “It’s always sad to hear news like this and there’s some comfort in knowing that Costas’ time at LGR was popular and his programmes were enjoyed by thousands.”

Costas leaves behind his wife, Katie, two children, Stamatis and Katerina, his brother, three sisters and extended family and friends, as well as his loyal dog, ‘Brando’. 

Funeral details were confirmed for Saturday 4th January 2019 at Apostolos Varnavas Church in Kameres, Larnaca, Cyprus. The service will take place at 12.30pm.

London Greek Radio expresses their deep sorrow at Costas’ sad passing, and we express our sincere condolences to family and friends.

Photo credit: Costas Vorias Facebook, LGR Haringey studios, Radiomarathon

Top 40 London Greek Radio ‘Airplay Chart’

December 01 to December 28, 2019

This month’s popular Greek song’s on LGR culminating in the final month, December of 2019.

LGR is celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves.

This year, was no doubt brilliant for Greek music, our chart shows a few of our timeless festive favourites, to current choices, and new releases this winter.

The rankings are based on radio airplay detection as measured by the official ‘UK Airplay Chart’.

The best new music, latest and greatest Greek hits… tune in to LGR!

1 Despina Vandi – Xristougenna
2 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
3 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
4 Helena Paparizou – Christougenna Xana
5 Christos Menidiatis – Paratise Ta Ola
6 Eleni Foureira – 2020 S’ Agapo
7 Antzi Samiou – Ta Pio Glyka Xristougenna
8 Christina Salti, Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
9 Anastasios Rammos – Se Dyo Mono Matia
10 Eirini Papadopoulou feat. Stamatis Houcholis – Halali

11 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Val’to Terma
12 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
13 Ivi Adamou feat. Konnie Metaxa – Pao
14 Christos Cholidis – Pali Sto Spiti Mou Charamata
15 Konstantinos Argyros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteftika
16 Kelly Kelekidou – Gia Hari Sou
17 Antonis Remos – Edo Kai Tora
18 Kostas Doxas – Seri
19 Wham! – Last Christmas
20 Notis Sfakianakis – H Mpalanta Ton Xristougennon

21 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
22 Kostas Martakis – Os Ta Xristougenna
23 Giorgos Livanis, Areti Ketime – Ela Apopse
24 Natasa Theodoridou – Den Me Afora
25 Andromachi – Na ‘soun Psema
26 Natasa Theodoridou – Hartopolemos
27 Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
28 Konstantinos Tsachouridis feat. Melina Aslanidou – Mesa Stin Agkalia Sou
29 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Kathimerina
30 Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vradi

31 Onirama – Pou Isoun Chtes
32 Stan – De Me Xereis
33 Panos Kiamos – Sto Ftero
34 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
35 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – De S’Agapao
36 Thanos Petrelis – Pao Diakopes, Ta Leme
37 Peggy Zina – Mesa Mou Kati Egine
38 Lena Zevgara – Ela Ela
39 Themis Adamantidis – Stin Kardia
40 Konstantinos Christoforou & Vasiliki Ntanta – Ki Iha Pou Les

Source: London Greek Radio, Official UK Airplay Chart
December 1st to 28th 2019 inclusive