Beyond the Radio Mic: Haashim Siddique and Ray C

June 19, 2026
The Luxurist Team

This Father’s Day, renowned broadcaster Haashim Siddique and Ray C reflect on family, legacy, and the lessons behind the voice, celebrating a bond built on guidance and unwavering support.

When you think of your father, what is the first memory that comes to mind?
The first memory that comes to mind is his passion for radio and broadcasting + being a total family man. I remember him working tirelessly at events, radio and his full time job during the early years when British Asians in the UK were beginning to establish themselves in the broadcasting industry. I have vivid memories of witnessing his dedication and work ethic from a young age. Alongside that, I cherish the many activities we did together and the close bond we built over the years. Those moments, combined with seeing his passion and perseverance firsthand, have stayed with me and shaped so much of who I am today.

What are the most important values your father taught you growing up?
The most important values my father taught me were to be respectful, to be a person of principle, and to always be true to your word. He firmly believed that respect is earned by giving it to others first. He also taught me to be strong-minded, to stand by my decisions, and to approach life with conviction and integrity. These lessons have stayed with me throughout every stage of my life—from education and my career to the entertainment industry and beyond. They have played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. I’m proud to carry my father’s name and values with me, and I hope to pass those same principles on to my children.

How did your father influence the person you are today, both professionally and personally?
My father has had a profound influence on the person I am today, primarily through his work ethic and the discipline he instilled in me from an early age. He taught me how to pursue my goals with purpose, how to conduct myself, how to communicate with people, and, most importantly, how to treat others with respect and kindness. On a personal level, he taught me the importance of being a good person and leading with compassion. Professionally, he taught me to be resilient, hardworking, and ambitious—to strive for excellence and have the confidence to aim for the very top. He always made me believe that if you work hard and remain true to your abilities, you are deserving of success. The influence and guidance he has given me are truly invaluable. They have shaped both my character and my ambitions, and there is simply no price you can put on lessons like those.

Working in broadcasting often requires confidence and resilience. Were these qualities encouraged by your father from an early age?
Absolutely. From a young age, my father actively encouraged me to speak confidently and express myself clearly. He would always push me to speak up, engage with people, and not shy away from using my voice. I was introduced to the studio environment early on and learned how to use a microphone, how to articulate my thoughts, and how to communicate ideas in an engaging and eloquent way. Looking back, I see that this was all part of a natural training process, especially as I had already developed an interest in following in his footsteps and entering the radio and broadcasting industry as a presenter. Working in broadcasting does require a great deal of confidence and resilience. You need to be able to stand in front of people, speak with clarity, and ensure your message is understood, while also connecting emotionally so that your words truly resonate with your audience. I believe these foundations were instilled in me early on through his guidance, and they have stayed with me ever since.

What is one piece of advice from your father that has stayed with you throughout your life?
One of the best pieces of advice my father gave me was to never be overly influenced by what others say. He always encouraged me to stay focused, remain disciplined, and keep working hard towards achieving the highest possible standard. He taught me not to let anyone’s words bring me down or distract me from my path. Instead, to stay grounded, trust in my own abilities, and continue moving forward with purpose. He also emphasised the importance of faith, reminding me to follow the path of God and to always have belief in myself. That advice has stayed with me throughout my life and continues to guide me in both my personal and professional journey. It was only after going out into the world and experiencing a bit of life that all of what he said was true and that he was the only man on this earth who wanted me to do better than him.

Looking back, was there a moment when your father realised your passion for music, radio and entertaining audiences?
I think my father realised quite early on that I had a strong interest in what he was doing—whether it was DJing or preparing for his radio shows. I was always drawn to the studio environment and wanted to be around him whenever he was working. Over time, that natural curiosity developed into a clear passion. As I spent more time in that world, it began to shape my own ambitions and made it clear that this was the path I wanted to follow. I think it became even more evident to him when he saw that I was starting to understand the technical side of things—how to operate a studio desk and the basics of DJing—and actively trying to put that knowledge into practice. From that point onwards, I believe he recognised not just an interest, but a genuine passion, and began to help guide me towards developing it further for the next generation.

What qualities do you admire most in one another?
The qualities I admire most about Das is his presence, his respect, and his unwavering principles. He is a man of integrity, and that is reflected in the respect he receives not only from family, but from people across the industry and throughout the country. That kind of respect cannot be bought; it is earned over time, and it speaks volumes about who he is. I also deeply admire his work ethic and what he has been able to build from the ground up. He has created and developed so much for both his family and his professional life, turning ideas into platforms and opportunities into lasting legacies. Projects such as Asian Star Radio, the Slough Mela, and the East London Mela, along with countless other shows across the UK, have become household names. All of this has been achieved through hard work, resilience, and strong relationships built through genuine networking and dedication. Watching that journey has been incredibly inspiring and is something I hold in great admiration. From his perspective, he would say that what he admires in me is my hardworking, resilient mindset. I don’t stop until I achieve what I set out to do. I am confident, focused, and clear about what I want to achieve in life, and he values that determination deeply.

Can you share a moment when you felt particularly proud of each other?
One of the moments I felt most proud of my father was back in 2007, on the launch day of Asian Star Radio. Being there on the very first day of broadcasting, seeing the station go live for the first time, was a significant and emotional moment. It marked the beginning of something that was built from the ground up. Another hugely proud moment was witnessing Asian Star Radio go on to win Regional Radio Station of the Year at several award ceremonies. Seeing the station receive back-to-back recognition was incredibly rewarding. It was powerful to watch a brand that started from nothing grow into something so respected, and to see the amount of hard work and dedication that went into building it as a family. Although my parents led the journey, it truly felt like a collective achievement. On the other side, I believe my father was particularly proud of me when I completed my degree at university and moved into my corporate career, while also continuing to develop my path in the entertainment industry. I think seeing me take those steps and build my own direction was a proud moment for him as well. And I suppose the next moment for him to be proud of me will be when I get married.

What role has family played in helping you navigate your career and success?
This is a deeply personal question, and I can say with complete honesty that my family are the reason I am where I am today. They have played a central role throughout my journey and have been at the heart of both my personal and professional development. They have shared in every part of the process—the highs, the lows, the setbacks, and the successes. Whether it has been helping with preparation for demos, arranging outfits for shoots, supporting me ahead of television appearances, or guiding me through networking opportunities and introductions, they have always been actively involved and invested in my progress. Beyond the practical support, they have also been there emotionally during the more challenging moments—whether that’s a difficult interview, a demanding show, or times when I’ve needed guidance and reassurance. They have consistently helped me navigate those situations and see things through. Even today, that support remains unchanged. My family are my backbone. Without them, I am nothing. Their belief, guidance, and constant presence have been fundamental to everything I have achieved. I dedicate all of my work and success to my parents, my mum and dad, and to my two sisters as well. Without them, I would not be where I am today, and I am still striving—still climbing towards the very top, where I aim to reach, with them always at the centre of that journey.

What does Father’s Day mean to both of you, and how do you usually celebrate it?
Father’s Day, for us, isn’t just a single day of celebration. Because we spend so much time together—whether that’s working, going to the gym, or simply doing everyday activities—we’ve naturally built something that goes beyond a traditional father-son relationship. Over the years, it has developed into more of a friendship, which is something I truly value. I’ve found my best friend in my father. Despite the age gap, he remains my backbone, my support system, and someone I can rely on completely. That means everything to me, and I’m grateful that we still share that close bond. When we do celebrate Father’s Day, it’s usually in a simple way. We might start the day at the gym and then go out for a meal together. But in reality, it’s never just about that one day. We believe in celebrating all our wins and spending time together whenever we can. As a family, we are very close-knit, and we make a conscious effort to enjoy each other’s company regularly. That togetherness is what matters most to us.