Danny Howard, born on 14 July 1987 in Blackpool, is a British DJ, dance music producer, and the current host of Radio 1’s Dance Party. He studied sport and exercise science at Edge Hill University, where he also began developing his career as a DJ. During his time at university, he held a residency at The Syndicate, one of the UK’s largest nightclubs, based in Blackpool. Following his studies, he spent three months DJing for Ministry of Sound in Egypt, gaining further experience in the industry. Howard’s breakthrough came in August 2011, when he won the BBC Radio 1 Superstar DJ competition, beating five other contestants in a series of challenges. This success led to him securing his own Saturday show on BBC Radio 1 in April 2012, hosting Radio 1’s Dance Anthems with Danny Howard. His work on the show earned him a nomination for Radio Show of the Year at the 2017 Electronic Music Awards. Later that year, he was moved to a primetime Friday night slot from 11 pm to 1 am, while MistaJam took over Dance Anthems.
As part of a BBC Radio 1 schedule shake-up in 2020, Howard’s show was moved to 9 pm, swapping slots with Pete Tong’s Essential Selection. In September 2021, following the departure of Annie Mac, he took over as host of Radio 1’s Dance Party on Fridays from 6 pm to 8 pm. Expanding his presence further, in July 2024, he also began presenting Radio 1’s Dance Party Warm-Up on Thursday evenings, exclusively on Radio 1 Dance, aligning with BBC’s digital expansion plans. His music career began on 2 April 2012, with the release of his first single, Twenty Nine, on Spinnin’ Records. That summer, he played at Judgment Sundays in San Antonio, Ibiza, hosted by Judge Jules, performing at both the opening and closing parties. He also played at BCM in Magaluf, closed the Xstatic Summer Festival on 30 June 2012, and performed at Coloursfest in Scotland. In January 2013, he released Apex on Spinnin’ Records, followed by his debut album, Clubbers Guide 2013, with Ministry of Sound in February 2013. Later that year, he released Spire and, alongside Futuristic Polar Bears, the track Thundergod on Carrillo Music.
In April 2016, Howard co-founded his record label Nothing Else Matters, in partnership with former BBC Radio 1 colleague Nigel Harding and RCA Records. The label’s launch followed his release of 99 Souls’ The Girl Is Mine, which topped the UK Dance Chart. After a brief hiatus, Howard revived the label in 2019, shifting towards quality underground club music, kicking off this new era with a collaboration with Eli & Fur. Announcing the relaunch, he expressed his excitement, stating that “NEM is back,” marking a new chapter in his label’s evolution.

Danny Howard at Gigs In The Gardens at De Montfort Hall in Leicester on 23 August 2019.