Latest news about Virgin Radio UK

Claudia Winkleman to take over Radio 2 Saturday morning show

BBC Radio 2 has announced Claudia Winkleman as Graham Norton’s replacement on Saturday mornings from next February. Graham will leave the station at Christmas to join Virgin Radio UK for weekend mornings. The BBC says Claudia’s Saturday 10am-1pm show will ‘welcome some of the world’s most popular stars to Wogan House for a chat against a backdrop of a brilliant mix of music and musings of the day’. Claudia says: “I’m not often speechless but the chance to be with the wonderful Radio 2 listeners every Saturday has left me, quite frankly, gobsmacked. I hope my voice comes back in time for the first show as I can no longer simply rely on a fake tan and a fringe. There’s nobody I’d rather be with at the weekend, it’s a privilege and an honour.”...

Chris Evans turns on the Christmas lights in Marlow

Chris Evans has turned on the Christmas lights in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, in the middle of the night as a surprise for residents. The Virgin Radio breakfast show presenter stopped by with his son Noah on his way to his radio show to perform the act without a crowd.

Graham Norton joins Virgin Radio UK for weekends

After news of his departure from Radio 2, Wireless has confirmed the signing of Graham Norton to do Saturday and Sunday shows for Virgin Radio. His new programmes will launch in the New Year and Graham will continue to present his Friday night chat show on BBC 1. During his appearance on Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio breakfast show on 30th September, Graham had commented on how nice the studios were and how close they were to his home in Wapping. Evans went on to spend a large part of the hour-long interview trying to convince Graham to join Virgin. Listen to the audio below…

TV presenter Michael Underwood joins Virgin Radio Groove

Digital station Virgin Radio Groove has added Michael Underwood to its weekend line-up in the 10am-2pm slot. Last month the presenter – who is also a teacher – fronted Virgin Radio’s 500 Words: Black Lives Matter children’s writing competition alongside his wife, TV presenter Angellica Bell. Michael and Angellica hosted a stream of famous names reading out the shortlisted entrants and winners. Michael said: “The Virgin Radio family is the home of the best music on the radio and it’s a real treat to host Weekends on Virgin Radio Groove. If you want to get your groove on with all the best feel-good music, come and join us!” ...

Ross Kempsell makes Wireless return with Times Radio

Former talkRADIO, talkSPORT and Virgin Political Editor Ross Kempsell is returning to Wireless to become Special Correspondent for Times Radio. Ross left the group a year ago to take up a role as Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister in the Downing Street Policy Unit. The move into politics followed a high profile interview during which Boris Johnson revealed he likes to paint model buses in his spare time. Ross’ new job at Times Radio, which launches later this month, will see him covering home affairs, policing, crime and security, defence, social policy and the NHS. He will also work on exclusive stories and investigations for the station...

RAJAR Q1 2020: Four percent growth in digital share

Digital listening share has increased to a new record of 58.6% up from 56.4% year on year in the latest RAJAR figures. Digital reach is also at a new record with 36.9 million adults, or 67% of the population, tuning in via a digital platform, up from 36.3m in Q1 2019. Listening via online and apps now accounts for 14% of all listening and nearly a quarter (24%) of digital listening, having grown by 25.4 million hours (or by 23%) year on year. With 32% of adults now claiming to own a smart speaker, online listening in home was for the fourth consecutive quarter the fastest growing platform and location, increasing by 21 million hours (or by 26.6%) year on year...

RAJAR Q1 2020: London and national brands roundup

BBC Radio 2 has lost almost a million listeners in the last year, according to the Q1/2020 audience research from RAJAR. The reach of the UK’s biggest radio station fell from 15.356m at the start of 2019 to 14.362m over the first three months of this year. The two biggest commercial radio networks – Heart and Capital – both lost significant reach over the 12 months too. The Heart network lost 787,000 listeners to leave a reach of 7.737m, while Capital dropped 815,000 to 6.386m. When you add in the other Heart and Capital branded stations – 70s, 80s, 90s, Dance, Xtra and Xtra Reloaded – the Heart brand reaches 9.365m and the Capital brand 7.502m...

Virgin Radio plans concert for 35,000 key workers

Virgin Radio and The Sun are planning to hold free concerts at venues across the UK as a thank you to key workers. Tour dates to take in The SSE Arena, Wembley on Wednesday 28 October, Manchester Arena on Thursday 29 October and The SSE Hydro Arena Glasgow on Sunday 1 November, assuming large gatherings are allowed by this time. The Wembley show will incorporate The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards, celebrating healthcare workers at the front line of battling the virus. 35,000 free tickets will be given away for key workers – from health care staff to bus drivers – as Virgin Radio and The Sun say a Big Thank You...

Virgin Radio to air Pete Mitchell tribute this weekend

A special show to celebrate the life and career of radio presenter Pete Mitchell, hosted by Chris Evans, will be broadcast on Virgin Radio UK on Sunday evening. Pete died suddenly last month, aged just 61, while out walking near his home in Stockport. His 34 years in radio as a presenter and producer had seen him work at stations including Piccadilly Radio, Key 103, Virgin, Radio 2, 6 Music and Absolute Radio. Perhaps most famous for his partnership with Geoff Lloyd on Virgin Radio in the 2000s, he’d most recently been making ‘Revolutions in Music’ documentaries for the new Virgin Radio...

Audio and Radio Industry Awards 2020 – Winners

The winners at the Audio and Radio Industry Awards 2020 have been revealed at an event at the London Palladium. The BBC took home 17 awards including Emma Barnett for Best Speech Presenter on BBC Radio 5 Live, Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James for Best New Show, The 1Xtra Breakfast Show with Dotty forBest Music Breakfast Show and Elis James and John Robins for Funniest Show on BBC Radio 5 Live. Bauer Media radio brands were recognised on the night with Absolute Radio winning Gold for their coverage for Mental Health Awareness Week as well as their regional station Forth 1 who won Best Local Radio Show...