Angela Scanlon is set to become the new host of BBC Radio 2's Drivetime show, replacing Sara Cox in the weekday 4pm to 7pm slot. The 42-year-old Irish TV presenter, who previously stood in on the programme earlier this year, announced the news on Cox's show on Monday.
Scanlon's promise to listeners
Scanlon, a former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, revealed her plans to fully engage with the audience, teasing that she will uncover all of her listeners' "dirty little secrets". She 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."
Scanlon discovered she had secured the job while in John Lewis buying a friend a baby sling, which led to assumptions that she was appearing on the show to announce a pregnancy. She added: "It hasn't fully felt real until this point, and now I guess is the time, there's some ideas bubbling away in my head, but I just want it to be all about the listeners."
Career highlights and show details
Earlier this year, Scanlon was part of the BBC's Eurovision coverage alongside Rylan Clark, hosted The Apprentice spin-off Unfinished Business on BBC Two, and has presented ITV's This Morning. She made her Radio 2 debut on the Sunday early breakfast show from 2018 to 2021 and has also provided cover for other programmes.
Speaking after taking over, Scanlon 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! 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 changes at Radio 2
Cox moved to the breakfast show slot earlier this summer after Scott Mills was sacked following an investigation over alleged serious sexual offences against a boy under 16. 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.
