Weekend with Nayha Ahmad: ‘My cat is my alarm clock’
The radio and TV presenter on Beyoncé hoodies, breakfast and her love of true crime
Nayha Ahmad is a radio and TV presenter from Slough. She got her first big break in radio at her hometown station, Asian Star 101.6FM, before going on to host the chart show on London’s Westside Radio.
From covering red carpets to interviewing music industry heavyweights, Ahmad has done it all. She now hosts the BBC Asian Network’s Official Asian Chart Show and presents Sky Arts’ Unmuted, where she explores emerging creative trends and cultural events.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What are your weekend mornings like?
I wake up to my cat, Tiger. He’s my alarm clock. He’s not here at the moment, but any time I do an interview, he usually comes and joins.
Have you always been a cat person?
All my life, but my parents never let me have one. When my best friend bought me Tiger as a gift, she asked my parents for permission. My dad said: “You bring a cat into this house and I’ll throw it out the window.” On the day, I opened the door and a little cat ran in. I was so excited. My dad was very angry, but the person who looks after the cat the most is him. That’s always the way.
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Do you stay in for breakfast or go out?
If I’ve got friends around, or if I’m with my husband, then we love going out for breakfast. But normally I need to eat before I leave the house. I can’t function without breakfast.
Go-to breakfast spot?
I love going to this local place in Buckinghamshire called Fego. I have the veggie breakfast because I can’t have sausage or bacon. I’ll always have beans, scrambled or poached egg, mushrooms and hash browns. You can’t do without hash browns.
Is it even breakfast without hash browns?
Absolutely not. No hash browns, no breakfast.
You’ve been hosting events at this year’s Cultural Style Week festival in London. How would you describe your personal style?
For me, music, fashion and food are the three main things in my life. I’m quite bold and I’m not afraid to wear anything. I never worry about being overdressed. If you’re just going to the shop and you’re wearing red lippy, it’s OK. Enjoy it while you can.
Do you have a favourite place to shop?
I love a good little vintage store.
Do you ever have a hoodie and trackies kind of weekend?
Never. I own one hoodie and it’s a Beyoncé one. I don’t own tracksuit bottoms, I’m a jumpsuit girl. My casual fit would be pyjamas. The first thing I do when I come home is get changed into my PJs and I’m not afraid to admit it. It could be 4pm, if I’m done for the day, I’m in my PJs.
Did you go to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour?
Absolutely. I’ve been every single time she’s come to the UK. The tickets are expensive but she’s the only artist I’ll spend that much on. Do you know the worst thing? My husband thinks she’s overrated. We have this big debate between us all the time and I’m like, please don’t — the Beyhive will go off on you.
The hive is quick, they’ll find him.
I have warned him.
Who else are you listening to at the moment?
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I’m loving Clementine Douglas. I’m also loving Solardo and FISHER, and I’ve just gone to see Oliver Heldens. They’re all in the dance scene. I’m a massive house and deep house fan.
On the Asian side of things, I am loving everything that Diljit Dosanjh is doing. I’m a huge Coke Studio Pakistan fan as well. Even though they’ve not really released much since last year, I’m still obsessing over all their songs. There’s also Pal Pal by a new artist called Afusic — he’s from Pakistan. I keep listening to it on repeat.
Your perfect Sunday?
At home, in my pyjamas. I’ll make everyone breakfast because I like cooking and doing things for people. And then I’d just have everyone chill here, sit together, talk, true crime on in the background — perfect.
You’re a big true crime fan?
I’m obsessed. My Netflix algorithm is just true crime. Dahmer was fantastic, it gripped me. I’ve just recently watched Fred and Rose West. If I wasn’t a presenter, I would have absolutely loved to work as a detective, but it’s way out of my league. I could host the documentaries, though. I’d be great at that.
I’m sure you would be.
I’d be less enthusiastic, though, I’ve got to be a bit more serious. I’ll work on that — maybe no red lippy.
The UK’s Asian Music Chart Top 40 airs exclusively on BBC Asian Network on Fridays at 3pm.
