Radio News

Graham Norton to drive his own desk at Virgin Radio

After years of not operating a radio desk at BBC Radio 2, Graham Norton has spoken of his delight to be able to finally drive his own at Virgin Radio. He appeared on Breakfast with Chris Evans Friday morning ahead of his first show on Saturday from 9.30am till 12.30pm. Graham said: “We did a little dummy run the other night and it’s fun – I really liked it. “Here’s my confession – at Radio 2 I was never allowed to touch a button, I was just gloves on, and I’d sit there and talk. So everything happened around me. But here, I’m pushing some buttons and it’s pathetic how excited that makes me...

BBC local radio reinvents Make a Difference

BBC Local radio is relaunching the Make a Difference: Give a Laptop campaign to help provide access to laptops and devices for children and young people in need. The network is asking for people with old laptops or tablets to donate them to help pupils still in need of a digital device. From today, all 39 local radio stations launched the campaign on-air by providing details of specialist charities across the country that will safely wipe donated devices before distributing them to local schools. Chris Burns, Head of BBC Local Radio comments...

Adrian Chiles confirmed as Emma Barnett replacement

Adrian Chiles is the new permanent host of BBC Radio 5 Live’s weekday mid-morning show every Thursday and Friday from 10am to 1pm. He starts today (Thursday 7th January) following Emma Barnett’s move to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. Naga Munchetty presents mid-mornings Monday to Wednesday. Adrian joined 5 Live at its launch in 1994 and has featured regularly across the schedule presenting everything from Wake Up to Money, to football and 5 Live Drive. He currently presents Chiles on Friday and Question Time Extra Time on Thursday evenings...

Google removes talkRADIO YouTube channel

talkRADIO is no longer able to stream via its YouTube channel after Google suspended its account. The station says it wants a details explanation about the suspension, and has issued a statement about the move. All of talkRADIO’s archive is also offline, but is expected to reappear should the situation be resolved. talkRADIO points out it is regulated by Ofcom and has robust editorial controls in place taking care to balance debate...

Clare Teal is joining Bauer for new Jazz FM show

Clare Teal, who hosted her final show on BBC Radio 2 this week, is joining Jazz FM. Clare announced she was leaving Radio 2 in November, and did her last programme on January 3rd 2021. Now Jazz FM’s breakfast presenter Nigel Williams has announced the broadcaster is joining the national jazz station to present big band and swing every Sunday night for two hours on The Clare Teal Show. Her first show will be on Sunday 24th January and her weekly two-hour slot will feature music handpicked by Clare. Clare says: “I am beyond thrilled to be joining Jazz FM. To find a new home as excited as I am, to share the music I love with like-minded folks, is just brilliant" ...

Tom Green joins Hits Radio as Hattie Pearson moves to weekdays

Morning changes at Hits Radio mean a new weekday early breakfast show for Hattie Pearson and Tom Green joining the network for weekend breakfast. Tom Green comes from KISS where he previously co-hosted Breakfast. He’ll replace Hattie on the Saturday and Sunday 6-9am slot, as Hattie moves to Monday to Friday 4-6am. It marks a return to ‘Hits’ for Tom as he used to present Breakfast on The Hits before joining KISS in 2017. John Isherwood, who previously hosted the overnight show on Hits Radio, departed the network at the end of 2020...

Game over for Kelvin MacKenzie’s Love Sport radio

Love Sport radio has ceased transmission on the national Sound Digital Ltd multiplex marking the end of the road for the service. The station told listeners it was taking a break back in April due to the coronavirus and has been airing mostly non-stop music ever since. Love Sport, founded by Kelvin MacKenzie, joined SDL a year ago taking over the slot from Panjab Radio but as of 10pm New Year’s Eve it is no more. Kelvin told RadioToday this morning: “Covid killed the radio star. Commercial revenues collapsed in March. The radio business, especially small radio, is taking a terrible hammering.” ...

Radio presenter Charlie Powell swaps KISS for Capital

DJ and producer Charlie Powell is joining Global as the new host of The Capital Weekender overnights. The former KISS and KISS FRESH host will be on-air from tomorrow every Saturday and Sunday from 1.30am till 5am and Monday afternoons on Capital Dance 4pm – 7pm. Charlie Powell said: “I’m so excited to be joining the Capital family. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it’s a dream come true. My passion is always playing the biggest and best dance music for everyone and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do this on the Capital Weekender & Capital Dance! I can’t wait to get started!” ...

Olivia Jones joins Rock FM to co-host Breakfast

Presenter Olivia Jones is to join Joel Ross as part of the Rock FM Breakfast Show from January. Olivia will replace current co-host Janine Marsh who has been on the show since 2016. She presented her last show on Friday (18th December). On joining the Rock FM Breakfast Show from January 4th, Olivia says: “I am beyond thrilled to be taking on a new radio challenge at the start of 2021 with an incredibly talented team at Rock FM. “Breakfast radio is one the most exciting jobs in the world and I look forward to spending each morning with our funny, caring and loyal listeners.”...

Christopher Biggins and Rick Astley in panto at Magic

Magic will be broadcasting its very own festive pantomime starring Christopher Biggins as well as a host of presenters on Christmas Day. The decision to air the panto follows the cancellation of many pantomimes across the country due to Covid-19. Christopher Biggins will be leading the festive show as the ‘Good Fairy’, and the hour long show will also have a cameo from singer Rick Astley. Christopher told Magic Radio’s Tom Price about his excitement for the show, which is sponsored by Gold TV Channel. When asked if this was his biggest panto to date, he replied “Oh without a doubt! The excitement when you first approached me was palpable, I couldn’t believe my luck. Just wonderful, because I know most of your audience are pantomime people!” ...