BBC launches Cornish language podcast with Radio 1 DJ Danni Diston

Radio 1 DJ Danni Diston returns to her Cornwall roots to host the Learn Cornish podcast for BBC Sounds, promising 'lots of laughs as well as learning'. The 12-episode series, produced by BBC Radio Cornwall, launches on 1 May with weekly episodes. Diston explores the Cornish language with guests including BAFTA-winning director Mark Jenkin, actor-comedian Edward Rowe (from Bait), and an engineer from Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station. Language expert Sarah Buck from Cornwall Council's Cornish Language team assists. The podcast was commissioned to celebrate the Cornish language's recent upgrade to top-level government protection, alongside Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Welsh. Diston describes Cornwall as 'the most special place in the world' and aims to make the podcast accessible to anyone who 'holds Cornwall in their heart', regardless of prior knowledge of Kernewek. Buck encourages listeners to weave simple phrases like 'dydh da' (hello) and 'meur ras' (thank you) into daily life.