Classic FM morning presenter Simon Bates is joining the new national Smooth Radio service to host breakfast.
The former Radio 1 DJ will join a new national line-up of Mark Goodier, Dave Lincoln, Carlos and Andy Peebles. The new station launches on October 4th but Lynn Parsons will cover the show until Simon is available in January 2011.
Mark Goodier remains on mid-mornings, followed by Dave Lincoln in the afternoon who's currently hosting the mid-morning show in the North West
Carlos from Smooth Radio West Midlands takes up the drivetime slot from 4 till 8pm and Andy Peebles remains on evenings till midnight.
Simon Bates has been broadcasting on the BBC and commercial radio for almost 40 years. He spent 16 years as the mid morning presenter on BBC Radio 1 but for the last 15 years he has predominantly worked in commercial radio at Talk Radio UK, London’s LBC and at Classic FM, where he is currently mid morning presenter after seven years on breakfast.
GMG Radio announced in June that its Smooth brand was to become a national station, broadcasting across the UK on digital radio, Sky, Freeview and Freesat and on its five regional FM services across England. Its Smooth station in Glasgow will continue to carry local programming in key day parts for 7 hours a day.
Simon Bates said: “I have had a very enjoyable and happy time at Classic FM and I leave with great affection for the station and people who work there and all at Global. I am now very much looking forward to joining the new national Smooth Radio.”
GMG Radio’s Group Programme Director John Simons said: “We are delighted that Simon Bates will be joining the station in the New Year. He was part of our audience’s youth and his warm style of broadcasting will no doubt be a great draw for listeners. Smooth Radio is all about the music and we will arguably have the most knowledgeable line-up of popular music broadcasters on the commercial airwaves.”
Richard Park, Global Radio's Director of Broadcasting, said: "We would like to thank Simon for his outstanding contribution over the years and we wish him all the best in the next phase of his career."