Share
Thank God It's Toby: Highlights
Dr Emeka Okorocha
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE URGED TO TAKE A COVID-19 LATERAL FLOW TEST BEFORE HEADING HOME THIS CHRISTMAS TO PROTECT FRIENDS AND FAMILY
* All university students are being asked to avoid taking Covid-19 home for the Christmas break by taking a rapid Covid-19 lateral flow test before travelling home.
* The call comes as new research reveals a third (33%) of students are already planning nights out with friends when they're back home, so now is a crucial time to remind students of the importance of testing
To coincide with the end of term, all university students are being encouraged to take a rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow test and report their results online before returning home for the Christmas break; to minimise the spread of the virus from one area to another across the country.
This comes as students start to plan their return home for the holidays - with new research revealing over half (55%) are looking forward to recharging after a hard term, 57% are looking forward to seeing family and friends, and a third (33%) are already planning a night out with old friends when they're back home.
Now is a crucial time to ensure that students know the steps and behaviours to take to limit the spread of Covid-19 to friends and family.
While the life-saving vaccines remain the best defence against Covid-19, people can still catch the virus even if they have been double vaccinated and received their booster. With around one in three people with Covid-19 showing no symptoms, and with young people more likely to be asymptomatic, it could be passed onto others without knowing.
That is why students must take a rapid Covid-19 Lateral Flow test before returning home to ensure they don't take Covid-19 home with them and spread the virus to friends and family, giving them peace of mind.
The research also revealed that of those students who said they had not been planning to take a rapid Covid-19 test before travelling home, over half (53%) said that, when told the benefits of the test, they now would take one before they return home. As well as testing before travelling home, students are encouraged to carry out additional actions to help stop the spread of Covid-19, including:
* Taking a rapid Lateral Flow test before a period of higher risk i.e. socialising with friends and indoor environments, and reporting results online
* Arranging a free PCR test if you have symptoms
* Opening windows regularly, particularly when on public or private transport travelling home, and then again at home when friends or family visit
* Wear a face covering when on public transport
* Get your Covid-19 vaccine and booster jab when invited
Dr Emeka Okorocha, an A&E doctor, said: "I know when I was studying, I couldn't wait to get back home for the holidays, and with Christmas, on the horizon, university students will be travelling across the country to spend the Christmas holidays at home.
Whilst it's so great that we are all able to spend this time with our family and friends this year, we do still need everyone to be cautious. This is because around 1 in 3 people with Covid-19 have no symptoms and could be breathing it onto others without knowing. So, to make sure that you're not taking the virus home with you for the Christmas break, take a rapid Covid-19 lateral flow test and report your results online at gov.uk before you travel back."
Students can get the tests from their university if they have them, nearest pharmacists or can order them online at nhs.uk/get-tested. Tests are free and simple with results in around 30 minutes.
Highlights from Toby's Friday afternoon show on Shout Radio. Featuring chat with top showbiz guests.
More episodes
View all episodes
Sean Martin
14:22||Season 2025Sean Martin is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and driving force behind The Quarantined, a band renowned for its raw, unflinching sound and fearless exploration of challenging subjects. A songwriter who isn’t afraid to confront trauma, injustice, and the darker corners of the human experience, Sean brings an intensity and honesty to his music that connects deeply with listeners.Much of his writing is rooted in his own battle with PTSD, which has shaped both his perspective and his art. Songs like “Shadow,” written during a time of personal crisis, channel the weight of dread, intrusive thoughts, and sleepless nights into powerful, cathartic music. For Sean, creating is more than just making records—it’s a way of reclaiming control, pushing back against oppressive systems, and transforming pain into something that inspires resilience.On stage and in the studio, Sean delivers with unrelenting passion, blending heavy riffs, haunting melodies, and lyrics that don’t shy away from uncomfortable truths. His vision for The Quarantined goes beyond just music; it’s about sparking awareness, encouraging defiance against injustice, and giving a voice to those struggling in silence.
69. Enrico
14:51||Season 2025, Ep. 69Enrico is a writer and guide dedicated to helping people rediscover the inner wisdom that leads to a life of meaning, love, and courage. His book Finding Your Compass is a powerful invitation to awaken the sacred guidance that lives within us all. Drawing on timeless teachings, including the Hermetic Principles, Enrico gently leads readers beyond fear, guilt, and blind obedience toward the deeper freedom we were born to claim. Rather than offering another rigid system, his work encourages a return to the living compass of the heart — the quiet light that connects us to the very fabric of life itself. Through his writing, Enrico speaks to all who have questioned, doubted, or hoped that something more beautiful awaits beyond the walls of fear, reminding them: we are not lost, we are remembering the way.
68. K-Town
07:19||Season 2025, Ep. 68K-Town is a rising star in the music industry who has recently signed with ROC Nation Distribution. Blending raw talent with a unique sound, K-Town is quickly making a name for himself as an artist to watch. With major backing and growing buzz, his journey is just beginning.
67. Bruce Sudano
28:52||Season 2025, Ep. 67Bruce Sudano is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose music draws deeply from a lifetime of love, heartache, struggle, and spirituality. A true New Yorker at heart, Bruce formed his first band at age 13 and was performing in clubs not long after, quickly immersing himself in the vibrant local music scene.He first made waves on the charts in 1969 with "Ball of Fire," co-written with Tommy James, followed by the 1970 hit "Tighter, Tighter" with his band Alive N Kickin’, which opened for acts like Chicago and Frank Zappa. In 1977, Bruce co-founded the band Brooklyn Dreams, which signed with Millennium Records and soon found success collaborating with Donna Summer. Together, they co-wrote the chart-topping hit “Bad Girls” and appeared on her Top 5 single “Heaven Knows.” Bruce and Donna also began a personal relationship, eventually marrying.Over the decades, Sudano has continued to evolve as a solo artist. His latest album, Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies, showcases his signature blend of soul, rhythm, and lyrical introspection. The album features the anthemic “Make The World Go Away,” produced by hitmaker Ken Lewis, and the heartfelt duet “Two Bleeding Hearts” with legendary singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson.
66. Dom Okon
05:49||Season 2025, Ep. 66Dom Okon is a musician and instrumental artist known for his unique style and catchy, feel-good tracks. Often referred to as The King of Instrumental Pop, Dom blends pop melodies with rich instrumental arrangements, creating music that's both uplifting and memorable. His work has gained attention for its ability to tell a story without words, connecting with listeners through sound alone.
65. Tristan St Reynolds
08:14||Season 2025, Ep. 65Tristan St Reynolds is an Australian-born author, actor, model, and spiritual creator. He's best known for his intuitive work, including the Cryptid Whispers Oracle Deck and Cryptid Whispers – The Book. Tristan has appeared on the cover of several publications and regularly shares his insights as an Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine.
64. The One
04:00||Season 2025, Ep. 64The One is back with a brand new track, Party 444 U—a feel-good anthem made for letting loose and having fun. Known for catchy hooks and big energy, The One keeps the vibe high and the party going strong.
63. DYLN NOT DVPO
10:24||Season 2025, Ep. 63DYLN NOT DVPO is an artist with a unique vision and a story to tell. Formerly known as Dapo, he’s gearing up to drop a deeply personal and ambitious concept album on May 19th. The two-disc project follows a creative storyline where his former self, Dapo, has gone missing, leaving behind voicemails and random videos.Disc one dives into the emotional weight of real-life struggles, stress, and self-doubt, while constantly hinting at a recurring dream of stardom. Disc two picks up in a totally different headspace, flipping the tone from vulnerable and raw to confident and triumphant, representing what it looks like when those dreams finally come true.The lead single “MISSING” sets the tone for the whole rollout and is the main track DYLN is pushing right now. With this project, he’s not just making music—he’s telling a full story, and he’s excited to share it with people who appreciate depth, creativity, and realness.
62. Aaron Bennett
07:50||Season 2025, Ep. 62Aaron Bennett is the founder of Shout Radio, a station that began 12 years ago as a fun side project and has since grown into a full-fledged professional broadcaster. Starting with nothing more than a few records, a mic, and some dodgy jokes, Aaron has steered the station through the ups and downs of running a media outlet — from technical hiccups to major milestones.His passion for radio and natural talent for engaging an audience helped shape Shout Radio’s unique identity. Aaron believes strongly in the power of broadcasting to entertain, inform, and connect people, and he’s spent years developing the station into something he's proud to stand behind.Now celebrating more than twelve years on air, Aaron continues to push the station forward with a focus on quality output, great music, and fresh content — all delivered with a healthy dose of humour and personality.