Eddie Halliwell.

THE word ‘legend’ has become an over-used cliché, thrown carelessly at former soap stars, wayward footballers and junkie rockers.

It’s a word, though, that comes into its pure sense in addressing Eddie Halliwell, the man who made history by becoming the only DJ to have ever been voted Mixmag’s DJ of the Year twice.

The Gatecrasher and Goodgreef supremo and boundary-breaking DJ is not unfamiliar with accolades – he’s one of the most exciting and talked-about DJs on the circuit – but despite the adulation, he’s not far removed from his roots.

Born in Wigan, Greater Manchester, Halliwell still, in between the jet-setting, is very much a home boy at heart.

‘I used to think I might have to live near Heathrow, with all the travelling, but it’s actually easier to go from Manchester,’ he says.

‘To be honest I don’t get to play here very often, though. I used to do the North West when I first started out but as time goes on you move further and further afield, and I’ve had to cut back on what I do. Now I probably play here about once a year.’

Until October 2008, Halliwell was, notably, the host of his own weekly show on BBC Radio 1, showcasing the best of British dance music. Now, what little energy is left from his mind-blowing live sets is ploughed into a new project, the Fire It Up radio show, which is syndicated to a worldwide audience of six million.

• Halliwell headlines Hysteria at Liquid on Saturday 20 February, with main room support from Michael Hooker, plus Paul Mack, Paul Shoer and Adam Cain in Envy, and Ray Grant, Keith Robinson and Carl McConnell on the balcony.

See Wednesday’s JEP for the full interview.