Radio News

History of the human body explored by BBC Radio 4

Independent radio production company Made in Manchester has made a ten part series for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds about the history of the human body. Written and presented by anatomist, anthropologist and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts, Bodies also includes drama from voice actor Jonathan Kydd. Alice’s time travelling tour of anatomical knowledge traces the history from cave men to DNA. Executive producer and MIM Creative Director Ashley Byrne says: “This is a brilliant and most enlightening series authored expertly by Alice and peppered with great drama from Jonathan. The shows are equally informative and entertaining.” ...

Two new presenters for BBC Radio 4’s Open Book

Elizabeth Day and Johny Pitts are the new presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Open Book. Elizabeth’s first programme will be Sunday 17 January and Johny’s on 31 January. Elizabeth is an author, journalist and broadcaster and the presenter of the podcast How To Fail. Her other broadcast work includes co-presenting Sky Arts Book Club Live. As an author Elizabeth has written six books, both fiction and non-fiction, including The Party and How To Fail: Everything I’ve Ever Learned from Things Going Wrong. She is a judge for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2021...

Jorja Smith and Celeste to host BBC Radio 3 series

Singers Jorja Smith and Celeste are hosting two new series for BBC Radio 3 exploring music from orchestral and piano to pop. BBC Radio 3 says each 12-part series aims to uplift and restore with powerful and emotive music to soothe the soul. Tearjerker With Jorja Smith begins this Saturday and will be available on BBC Sounds, followed by Downtime Symphony with Celeste the following Saturday. Jorja Smith encourages listeners to press play and shed a tear, exploring the healing powers of sad music, from piano classics such as Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven to the soothing electronica of artists like James Blake...

Anita Rani to host Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4

Anita Rani is to join BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour as presenter every Friday and Saturday. She joins alongside Emma Barnett, who became the show’s main host in early January. Anita is well known as one of the lead presenters on BBC One’s Countryfile, and has been a regular on Radio 2. Previously, Anita hosted weekend breakfast on BBC Asian Network and started her radio career at Sunrise Radio in Bradford when she was 14. Anita’s first programme will be Friday 15 January and she will present the Friday and Saturday editions of the programme...

BBC Radio 2 celebrates musicals with BBC One

Musicals: The Greatest Show is coming to BBC Radio 2 forming part of three days of special programmes about the stage and screen. Hosted on radio and television by performer Sheridan Smith, the initiative puts the songs, the shows, and the stars, back on stage at the London Palladium. It will be broadcast from 7pm – 9pm on Sunday 31 January on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, and as a 75-minute show in February on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. From Friday 29 January to Sunday 31 January, for Radio 2 Celebrates Musicals the station has lined up an array of music, programmes and documentaries...

Mica Paris to host music series on Greatest Hits Radio

Greatest Hits Radio is launching a new three part music series called ‘Soul Food Songs’, guest presented by Mica Paris MBE. It will be exploring what makes an uplifting Soul anthem and how music helps our physical and mental health. The series will culminate in a Top 200 Countdown of the Greatest Soul Food Songs, as voted for by listeners. Alongside Mica, contributors including Tony Hadley, Dr Amir Khan, Jaki Graham, Omar, Paul McKenna and Ainsley Harriott will also take part in the series which airs from Wednesday 13th January at 7pm, with weekly repeats Sundays at 9pm...

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...