Latest news about BBC Radio 2

Fearne Cotton gets Radio 2 Breakfast cover job

Fearne Cotton will deputise for Zoe Ball when she takes holidays from the Radio 2 breakfast show, with comedian Matt Lucas looking after the show on Bank Holidays. Zoe announced the news this morning, with Fearne coming in to the studio for a chat about it as well as talking about hosting Popmaster and how Fearne used to be a big fan of Live & Kicking.

The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show launches BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words competition

The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show today launched BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words 2019, the short-story writing competition for children aged between 5-13 years of age. Zoe revealed that this year’s live final will take place in the spectacular surroundings of Windsor Castle on Friday 14 June. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall returns as an Honorary Judge and, to mark today’s launch, features in a specially-created animation. The competition is now open and the closing date for entries is 7pm on Thursday 8 March. Full details are...

Chris Evans on Virgin Radio – same show, different station

Chris Evans returned to the radio this morning with the same show, different station. The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio has the same jingles, most of the same people, and the same energy from his BBC Radio 2 show which is finished on December 24th. The first song, Lucky Man, was played live by Richard Ashcroft, followed by Queen’s Dont Stop Me Now.

Zoe Ball on taking over Radio 2’s Breakfast Show: “I’ve got my work cut out – but I’m ready for it”

She may have had missed a few early stars during her Radio 1 present days, but Radio 2's new breakfast show host says she's 'not the same Zoe from 20 years ago'. When Zoe Ball finished her final Radio 1 breakfast show in 2000, after two-and-a-half years of burning the candle at both ends...

Zoe Ball welcomes listeners to new Radio 2 Breakfast

BBC Radio 2’s new breakfast show started this morning with Zoe Ball welcoming listeners old and new to the programme and the new team. Zoe’s first song was Respect by Aretha Franklin just after 6.30am on Monday. Her team includes Richie Anderson on travel, Mike Williams on sport, weather with Carol Kirkwood, news with Tina Daheley and a daily Pause For Thought.

The week in radio and podcasts: Lauren Laverne; Mary Anne Hobbs; Shaun Keaveny

New year, new regime. Radio 2 starts its big shake-up on 14 January, with Zoe Ball and Sara Cox sliding into their fresh weekday time slots of breakfast and drivetime respectively: expect tabloid coverage and on-air laffs. Radio 1’s Charlie Sloth bowed out from the station in October, with the young yet experienced Tiffany Calver taking over his 9pm Saturday night Rap Show slot, and Rickie, Melvin and Charlie, ex-Kiss FM, due to start in his weekday evening The 8th slot soon...

Tina Daheley joins Radio 2 breakfast team

BBC Radio 2 has announced the full team for the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, with former Radio 1 breakfast newsreader Tina Daheley joining the station. She’s added to the previously announced line-up of travel presenter Richie Anderson and sports presenter Mike Williams. Zoe says: “I am thrilled to be joined by such a talented trio in the form of Richie, Tina and Mike. Now this top team are ready for Monday, we can’t wait for people to hear the show!”

All the new radio shows starting in January 2019

Radio was alive and well in 2018 with numerous announcements on major changes to schedules, breakfast shows and more. Most of the news towards the end of the year revealed changes from January, so in case you’ve lost track, here’s the RadioToday guide to what’s new in 2019. January 2nd: Tom and Daisy start the new KISS FM UK Breakfast Show, whilst Neev returns to KISS mid-mornings, replacing Pandora...

Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show team revealed

More details are emerging of the new Zoe Ball Breakfast Show starting on BBC Radio 2 in January 2019. The last Chris Evans Breakfast Show will take place on Christmas Eve, with Zoe Ball taking over on Monday 14th January at 6.30am till 9.30am. In addition to the start date, which is one week earlier than Chris Evans’ start date on Virgin Radio, we now know who the travel, weather and sport presenters will be.

Chris Evans Show to be advert free on Virgin Radio

The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio will be free of commercials when it launches on January 21st 2019. Instead, a sponsorship deal has been agreed in principle between Virgin Radio UK and Sky to promote the television services on the radio. Listeners moving with Chris from commercial-free BBC Radio 2 will no doubt welcome the news. Virgin Radio says Sky’s sponsorship will provide investment to create branded content, competitions and events which will take the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio to a whole new level.