Richard Bradbury, from Hollingwood, went to China on a one-month trip but three years later is still living and working in Beijing.

He co-hosts a radio show called 'The Pulse' on China Radio International after impressing station bosses with the demo tape he sent in while trying to secure a job and a visa to allow him to stay in the country.

Richard (31) said: "I initially landed in Beijing with the intention of staying just a month but then realised that I wanted to stay a while longer.

"For me China has incredible appeal, there are so many contrasts wherever you go and there's an energy here that I haven't found anywhere else."

The show, which goes out live between 8pm and 10pm every day, includes China's first ever music chart radio show and has given Richard the opportunity to interview celebrities from all over the world – including Faithless, Ziggy Marley and Harry Connick Jr.

He said: "I've had a bunch of listeners sing 'Happy Birthday' to me in Tibet and been horse riding in Mongolia and spent time with the riflemen of the Miao tribe, in Guizhou province.

"I've also given up-to-the-minute information about the unfolding events surrounding the devastating earthquake in Sichuan province.
"My life couldn't be further from what it was in the UK."

Now, with the 2008 Olympics happening on his doorstep, Richard has found himself giving running coverage from the studio to keep listeners up-to-date with Olympic news as it happens and is hoping to attend some events live.

He added: "To be here during the Olympics is actually quite amazing, the entire country is behind the event, one way or another.

"The night of the opening ceremony was spectacular — I was amongst thousands of people watching it on the big screen in Ditan Park and there was a real mix of cultures, so it was an incredibly warm reception."

helen.beighton@derbyshiretimes.co.uk