BBC Radio 2 has officially announced that Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon will take over as the host of the Drivetime show, replacing Sara Cox, who now presents the Breakfast Show. The programme runs from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays.
The 42-year-old was confirmed in the role on Monday morning (September 28) during an appearance on the Breakfast Show, where she joked about her earlier stint covering the programme.
Angela Scanlon's 'summer fling' and new role
Speaking as she was announced as the new host, Angela said: "I feel like I had a little summer fling, and it was all fun, but we only got to know the best of each other. And I want warts and all, like I want to know the listeners’ dirty little secrets, I can’t wait. We’re going steady now, or at least that’s the plan."
Angela revealed she found out she had got the job while buying a sling for her friend in the baby section of John Lewis, which led some of her friends to think she was going on Sara's show to announce a pregnancy.
Career background and first words
Angela made her Radio 2 debut on the Sunday early breakfast show from 2018 to 2021, and has also provided cover for other programmes. Earlier this year, she was part of the BBC’s Eurovision coverage alongside Rylan Clark, hosted The Apprentice spin-off Unfinished Business on BBC Two, and presented ITV’s This Morning.
Speaking after taking over, she said: "Taking over Radio 2 Drivetime is properly exciting. Millions of people, all having completely different days, piling into the same conversation for a few hours – what a strange and lovely thing!"
She added: "Every weekday, I’ll be in your ears, your cars and your kitchens – on the school run, on the way home, or standing at the hob wondering what on earth to feed a small but hungry mob. I want all of it, the stories, the opinions, the chaos, the tiny triumphs and the things you probably shouldn’t admit on national radio."
"And to be wedged between Trevor Nelson and Jo Whiley – two absolute radio legends – is quite the sandwich. I cannot wait to get stuck in. We’re going to have a lot of fun."
Further presenter changes at Radio 2
Further changes at Radio 2 will see Ben Earle take over from Bob Harris as the presenter of The Radio 2 Country Show, which airs from 9pm to 10pm on Thursdays, after Harris, who had presented the show since 1999, stepped down last year due to health issues.
The presenter shake-up has already included Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter Ellie Taylor replacing Strictly Come Dancing main show host Emma Willis on the Saturday lunchtime show from 1pm to 3pm, until Strictly ends in December.
