BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds announce new programming and specials, including the new hosts of Sunday morning shows following the passing of Steve Wright.
Michael Ball, who currently presents on Sundays from 11am-1pm, will present Love Songs with Michael Ball from 9-11am from June. Michael has hosted many programmes across the station since 2005 and has fronted his current show since 2016.
Michael says: “Steve made Love Songs 'appointment to listen' radio. I'm beyond excited and more than a little nervous to be tasked with the chance to continue with his extraordinary legacy. Beautiful, moving, relaxing and uplifting music to lift the soul on a Sunday morning, coupled with the stories, suggestions, requests and precious memories from you, the listener, will ensure that this won't be just MY show, but OUR show. I hope you will join us as we continue to share the love.”
Paddy McGuinness will host a new Sunday show from 11am-1pm from June as Michael Ball moves to an earlier time. Paddy, well known for the iconic shows Top Gear, Question of Sport and Take Me Out also presented a Sunday morning show on Bauer City 1 from 2014-2017. Paddy will present the show from Salford as part of the BBC’s Across the UK plans, allowing the BBC to better reflect, represent and serve all audiences. Paddy first presented on Radio 2 last year when covering the pop quiz ‘Ten to the Top’ while Vernon Kay was running his Ultra ULTRA Marathon, which raised over £6 million for BBC Children in Need. Paddy has recently been sitting in for Rylan on Saturday afternoons, and presented two shows on Good Friday 29 March and Easter Monday 1 April, from 4-7pm.
Paddy says: “I’ve loved keeping Rylan’s seat warm on Saturday afternoons and returning to the airwaves over Easter. To be given my very own regular show on the legendary Radio 2 is a dream come true.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “Although these are changes that we’d rather not be making, given the circumstances, I’m delighted to welcome Paddy and Michael to their new Sunday slots on Radio 2. I’m looking forward to Michael’s new earlier show, where he’ll entertain his ‘lovelies’ as he’s always done, and Paddy made a huge impression on our listeners when he sat in for Rylan as well as with his Easter specials.
“I’d also like to thank Nicki Chapman for presenting brilliant editions of Sunday Love Songs for the past few weeks.”
The new presenter for Pick of the Pops (Saturdays, 1-3pm) will be announced in due course, with Gary Davies continuing as the show’s interim host in the meantime.
Today, Radio 2 will be launching an open tender process, seeking proposals from suppliers to produce the two Sunday titles in London and Salford.
On last Wednesday’s The Folk Show, produced by 7digital, presenter Mark Radcliffe told listeners that he is pausing his radio work during April and May 2024.
Mark explains: "Having been on the radio since the late industrial revolution I've decided to have a bit of time off. I'm getting on a bit now, and there are some things I want to do whilst I'm still (relatively) fit and active. So I'll be taking April and May off, if that's alright with you lot.
"Stuart Maconie will be flying solo on the Radcliffe & Maconie Show on 6 Music, and my chum Shaun Keaveny will mind the Radio 2 Folk Show in my absence.
"This break has nothing to do with the health problems I've had over the last few years. I am clear of cancer and feeling great, so please don't read anything sinister into it. I'm just going to do some stuff I want to do, and I'll be back in early June. Whether you want me or not! À bientôt."
From Wednesday 3 April, Shaun Keaveny will be exploring the world of folk and acoustic music, with his selection of rootsy sounds including upcoming musicians, overlooked artists, and giants of folk from Britain and beyond.
Shaun says: “It’s a big honour for me to clasp the clammy baton of The Folk Show and hold the fort (I won’t have any hands left to work the faders) while Mark is away. I’m a big fan of so many of the artists Mark plays on the show, and I hope to bring my own unique brand of affable befuddlement to what is a broadcasting institution. I’ll make sure I bring my capo to the studio just in (guitar) case.”
On Thursday 11 April (9-10pm), The Country Show, produced by BBC Audio, presents a very special edition of the programme. Bob Harris took over the reins of Radio 2's Country Show an incredible 25 years ago on 8 April 1999, so next week’s episode will be full of surprises and delights that Bob doesn't know anything about...
Today, country music is one of the most fastest growing genre in the UK, and no one has done more to bring that about than broadcasting legend Bob Harris. He's been at the forefront of the genre and ahead of the curve for a quarter of a century now, bringing people such as Taylor Swift (who performed for Radio 2 in Concert at Abbey Road Studios in 2011), Luke Combs, Kacey Musgraves, Morgan Wallen and Ashley McBryde to UK airwaves for the very first time. Join Bob as he celebrates this amazing legacy – on what is also his 78th birthday - and looks forward to the next 25 years... Who knows what you're going to hear next!
Bob says: “It’s been a huge delight to see country music grow so much in popularity in the UK across the last 25 years. Being able to sit in the heart of that, and the outpouring of love for the genre, has been truly wonderful to see. We love to share the very best artists with our listeners and I’m always so honoured when they take the time to come and perform for us on The Country Show. Thank you to all the listeners for joining us every week, and here’s to the next 25 years!”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “For the past 25 years, Bob Harris on Radio 2 has been a tireless champion of country music. He’s highlighted the best US country music to UK audiences and proudly flown the flag for UK country acts across the world. I’d like to thank Bob for the passion and positive energy that he brings to each and every show, and wish him a very happy 25th anniversary - as well as a Happy Birthday!”
Bob became a DJ in the late 1960s, introducing Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Elton John and a new wave of rock ‘n’ roll inspired performers to audiences at gigs across London and beyond. In 1968 he co-founded Time Out magazine to further support the music he loved, and in 1970 he began his broadcasting career at BBC national radio, which has been his home for 54 years, presenting The Country Show on Radio 2 since 8th April, 1999. Through the 1970s Bob was the host of the award-winning BBC TV music show, Old Grey Whistle Test, giving first broadcasts to icons who still dominate the charts today. He has filmed with legendary names including John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Queen.
He is a four-time winner of the Country Music Association International Broadcaster of the Year Award; received the Americana Music Association Trailblazer Award from Emmylou Harris in 2011; and later that year was honoured with an OBE in recognition of his services to British music and culture. He was awarded the prestigious Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award in 2012 and last year The Country Show was once again voted Radio Show of the Year in The Americana UK Readers’ Poll. Bob is also an award-winning documentary programme maker and the author of three books, including his chart-topping autobiography, Still Whispering After All These Years, published in 2016.
Anita Rani is currently presenting on Saturdays (10am-1pm) until Romesh Ranganathan launches his new show on Saturday 20 April. Romesh will be joined by his TV partner in crime - and fellow Radio 2 presenter - Rob Beckett, who’ll be showing him the ropes and having a natter. It will all be soundtracked by some fantastic tunes as Romesh settles into his new Saturday slot.
Romesh says: “Only a fool would start a new Radio 2 show, broadcasting to millions of people on Saturday 20th April, and then run the London Marathon the very next day. It turns out I am that fool so please join me for the biggest weekend of my life (not including marriage and kids etc.).”
For the next three weekends, the UK’s soulful sweetheart and West End star, Beverley Knight, sits in for Elaine Paige. She’ll be playing the best show tunes and sharing the latest news from stage and screen (1-3pm, Sunday 7, 14 and 21 April). In January, she presented the three-part series, Beverley’s Gospel Revue, on the network, and last year hosted a Christmas Day gospel special and also performed at Radio 2 in the Park in Leicester in September.
Beverley says: “I’m so honoured to be sitting in for the legendary Elaine Paige on Sunday in April. I can’t wait to share my favourite show tunes with the Radio 2 listeners – it’s going to be such a treat!”
Judi Love was in the hot seat for Rob Beckett last Sunday (5-7pm, 31 March) and returns again on 7 and 14 April.
Two of the UK’s best loved personalities will be entertaining listeners on the two May Bank Holidays, Monday 6 and Monday 27 May.
Tony Blackburn, who was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting and charity in the King’s New Year Honours list, will be treating listeners to a Sounds of Soul specials from 12pm-2pm. The programme will be produced by BBC Audio.
Tony says: “I’ve been a soul music fan all my life, so what a joy it will be to present these shows, playing the best new and classic soul tracks to millions of fellow music fans. So if you like soul music, sweet soul music, do join me on the May Bank Holiday Mondays.”
Following her Christmas Day special, Jane McDonald is back in the Radio 2 presenter seat to sparkle showbiz glitter across the UK from 4-7pm. Listeners can expect to hear more of Jane’s hilarious stories from her years as one of the UK’s leading entertainers. She will also be sharing her views on what makes a good barbecue, her gardening tips, memories from her travels, her (often failed) attempts at cooking… Jane has a story for everything.
She will also be speaking to listeners and there may be a call or two from her celebrity friends. All of this plus a playlist packed with feel-good pop hits from the 60s to the present day, to include Madonna, Diana Ross, Steps, Whitney Houston and more, handpicked by Jane so she can belt ‘em out around the studio. The shows will be produced by Mostest Productions.
Jane says: “I had a wonderful time presenting on Radio 2 on Christmas Day so it's an absolute pleasure to return and spend some more time with the lovely listeners during the (hopefully sunny!) May Bank Holidays. I can't wait to hear your springtime stories and play some of my favourite tunes.”
BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 13.3 million (RAJAR Q4, 2023).The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show is most listened to Breakfast show in the UK with an audience of 6.6 million (RAJAR Q4, 2023).The network’s presenters include Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Rob Beckett, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Rev. Kate Bottley, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Angela Griffin, Bob Harris, Vernon Kay, Cerys Matthews, Scott Mills, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, Romesh Ranganathan, DJ Spoony, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Johnnie Walker, Jo Whiley, Phil Williams and Owain Wyn Evans.
