UK

The spring schedule for BBC Radio 2 will include a new weekly show for Zoe Ball and a time slot change for Pick of the Pops.

Zoe Ball will launch a Saturday show (1-3pm) from May, playing some of her favourite music and as previously announced, she will also host Elaine Paige: 60 Years in Showbusiness, a world exclusive concert honouring the career of the Radio 2 presenter.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Zoe is one of the UK’s most loved presenters, so I’m thrilled to announce that she has a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes, plus she’ll be hosting various specials for us throughout the year.”
On Friday 25th April, a range of musical theatre stars will perform some of Elaine’s favourite songs at the London Palladium, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday 4th May (8-10pm).
A special this April for Radio 2 and BBC TV, will see Elaine in conversation with Zoe in which Elaine tells the story of her life and career.
Also in May, Pick of the Pops, hosted by Mark Goodier and currently broadcast Saturday lunchtimes, will move to Sundays, 5-7pm.
Mark says: “I presented my first BBC Radio 1 Top 40 in 1988, so I hope bringing Pick of the Pops to the traditional Sunday afternoon chart show home is an irresistible invitation to pop fans of all generations to join me for a nostalgic look back to some of the greatest songs from across the decades.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Placing Pick of the Pops in the live early evening Sunday slot is a throwback to years gone by, when we’d gather around the radio to listen to the chart countdown, and we didn’t have access to programming in our pocket.
“These days, Pick of the Pops fans can listen to the programme on demand, at any time and anywhere that suits them, on BBC Sounds.”
Rob Beckett has decided to step down from his Sunday afternoon show in April, just before Easter, but will continue to appear on Radio 2 as a cover presenter.
Richie Anderson will launch a new Sunday night into Monday morning show, midnight-3am in April, broadcasting live from BBC MediaCity in Salford.
Phil Williams will continue as a cover presenter on Radio 2, including deputising for OJ Borg.
Other highlights on the station this spring include the Country music festival, C2C – Country to Country, Radio 2 Loves Brass, Top Brass presented by James Morrison, Remembering Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Vine presenting a documentary, The Heat is On in Saigon, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Michelle Visage – The Musicals That Changed My Life, Big Night of Musicals returns for a fourth year and Radio 2 is commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day – 8th May, 1945 – with a concert, BBC Radio 2 presents: VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration, at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in London presented by Vernon Kay. Full details can be found here.

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The 103.5 FM transmitter range for Ilkeston, Derbyshire-based Erewash Sound has been improved after the station secured grant funding.

An application was made in the last quarter of 2024 with the help of Erewash Voluntary Action, for a ‘mental health’ small grant.
The grant is to help local voluntary and community groups and organisations to improve or extend their work supporting Derby and Derbyshire residents aged 18 plus to maintain good mental health.
As a non-profit making organisation, Erewash Sound CIC is run almost entirely by volunteers with the aim to maximise social gain, relaying key items, many of them focusing on health and well-being.
The station says that since March 2010, it has consistently demonstrated the ability to build a bond of friendship between listeners and presenters, which, in turn, has helped reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness for many, particularly during the pandemic.
It also says that the NCFE accredited Erewash Sound Academy has delivered radio training for over 10 years with over 100 volunteers getting involved and developing skills to boost confidence, particularly with communication skills.
In addition to the funding, the station has been given permission by Ofcom to remove a restriction which had previously restricted the reach of its 103.5 FM transmitter.
Ian Perry, Press and Publicity spokesperson for Erewash Sound said: “As the local content of commercial and BBC radio continues to decrease, and after many local newspapers closed or merged with bigger titles covering wider areas, the radio station’s place as a key news and information provider has been further cemented.
“Securing the £5,500 funding for new and more modern transmission equipment has removed multiple risks that may have otherwise prevented the radio station from continuing to broadcast, and has, instead, enabled a greater focus on the provision of supporting mental health for listeners through service continuity.
“We’re additionally delighted to have been able to coincide the transmitter installation work with applying technical changes which improve our broadcast footprint and maximise our potential reach.”

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A new spring schedule is being launched across Capital and Capital Dance from next Monday, 24th February.

On Capital, Nada Allali will host Sunday lates from 10pm – 1am and Midlands DJ Tom Watts takes over the overnight slots Thursday – Friday (1am – 4am) and Saturday – Sunday (1am – 5am).
Sam Lavery is the new host of The Capital Weekender on Friday and Saturday nights, 10pm – 1am.
Over on Capital Dance, Sarah Devine takes over weekday afternoons from 12pm – 4pm. Max Tyler is the new host of Club Capital Dance every Friday and Saturday night from 7pm – 10pm, Hannah Rose joins from 10pm – 1am on Club Capital Dance and Sunday 12pm – 4pm.
Brent Tobin, Managing Editor of the Capital Brand said: “We’re so excited to be bringing some fresh new shows to Capital and Capital Dance.
“A huge congratulations to Tom, Sam, Nada, Sarah, Max and Hannah on their new shows. We’d also like to thank Meg McHugh, Chris Ros and Matty Chiabi for all the energy they’ve brought to Capital and Capital Dance!”

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Following an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, presenter Janice Forsyth is stepping down from the BBC.

Janice has worked for the BBC for more than 30 years, presenting shows on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Four and BBC Radio Three.
She is also the co-founder of a podcast production company which was set up five years ago and will continue in the role.
Janice presented the Culture Studio on BBC Radio Scotland, which then became the Janice Forsyth Show and then the Afternoon Show, from 2013 until early 2024.
In a statement, she said the diagnosis had been difficult, explaining that since 2022 she had been finding some tasks such as navigation difficult, and had experienced anxiety.
“I’d hoped that I was simply worn out by my many years as a freelance broadcaster and perhaps exhausted following the loss of our dear Mother, Patricia, the previous Christmas, but sadly, I now have a firm diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer’s disease,” she said.
“It’s been a huge blow, but I’m also feeling some relief that I finally have an explanation for lapses I’d been experiencing, and I’m managing to remain buoyant most of the time.
“Much as I have loved seeking out and sharing the best of music/literature/theatre/cinema with you, I’m happy now to have the time and freedom to enjoy all of these simply for my own pleasure.
“Call it living in the moment, and you won’t be far off!
“I never took my role lightly and hope I always gave my best, both for your sake and that of my interviewees.
“It’s been a blast, and I send a high five to everyone who tuned in on Saturday mornings or on more recent weekday afternoons and heard something interesting.”
Louise Thornton, head of commissioning at BBC Scotland, said: “Janice has been a hugely popular personality on our airwaves for many years.
“The many production teams she has collaborated with have appreciated her outstanding skill as a presenter on radio and television.
“Her warmth, relaxed interviewing style, and peerless knowledge of arts, music, and culture in Scotland and beyond, have made her a firm favourite with audiences over the decades.
“Everyone at BBC Scotland wishes Janice all the very best and we’ll be pleased to continue to explore suitable opportunities where we can work together.”

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BBC Radio 1 will join forces with four other radio stations across Europe to host Europe’s Biggest Gig.

The live music event will see the five countries come together to showcase their own national music scene and an artist tipped for big things, who will perform a live session.
Taking place on Tuesday 25th February from 6.30pm, Radio 1’s Jack Saunders will host for the first thirty minutes before handing over to broadcasting partners across the European Broadcasting Union.
Representing the UK, South-London soul singer Nia Smith, will perform a session of her tracks in the Radio 1 Live Lounge.
Nia Smith says: “So excited to be performing for Radio 1 at Europe’s Biggest Gig!! Ty so much Jack, very grateful.”
Jack Saunders says: “Live music is at the heart of what we do on the show so why not take that to the rest of Europe? It’s a chance to bring fresh unique voices to the biggest stage. Nia Smith is going to blow people away with her talent and I can’t wait to hear what the other countries bring.”
Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, says: “We’re really excited to launch Europe’s Biggest Gig which will join the hugely popular Europe’s Biggest Dance Show and Europe’s Biggest Soundsystem Party brand.
“It’s an exciting way to showcase the incredible artists emerging across the continent. By joining forces with our broadcasting partners, we’re giving artists a platform to reach new audiences and bringing fans closer to future stars poised for success. We can’t wait to share this special night with listeners across Europe.”
The countries, broadcasters and artists performing are (in order of broadcast):

UK, BBC Radio 1, Nia Smith
Ireland, RTÉ 2FM, Orla Gartland
Belgium, Studio Brussel, Sylvie Kreusch
Germany, 1LIVE, Berq
Iceland, Rás 2, Elín Hall

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The introductory live-in care agency, Country Cousins has launched a national radio campaign on Classic FM.

Running for 12 weeks, the campaign aims to reach over 3.62 million listeners, introducing more families to the benefits of live-in care and offering support to those who may not yet know where to turn.
Airing across Classic FM London, Classic FM South, Classic FM Digital, Classic FM Calm and Classic FM Movies with 1661 ad spots, it will reach listeners on average 6.6 times. The campaign also includes an offer of 50% off its Lifetime Membership fee.
George Neel, Group Commercial Director at Trinity Homecare Group, said: “This campaign is an exciting milestone for Country Cousins. Many families aren’t aware that live-in care is an option, or they don’t know where to turn when a loved one needs support.
“The benefits of staying at home with the right care in place are significant—over 97% of older adults say they would prefer to remain in their own home rather than move into residential care, and studies show that home care can lead to better health outcomes, greater independence, and improved quality of life compared to moving into a care home.
“By launching this campaign on Classic FM, we’re ensuring that more people hear about the benefits of live-in care and the compassionate service that Country Cousins has been providing for over six decades. We’re confident this will help many families find the care solution they need.”

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