Ex-Home Secretary Jacqui Smith joins LBC

Former Labour MP and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to take over from Ken Livingstone on LBC 97.3′s Saturday morning show.

She’ll join existing co-host David Mellor from this weekend on the Global Radio owned station.

Livingstone is coming off air while he prepares to stand in this year’s London Mayoral election. He’s been partnered with former Conservative MP and minister Mellor since 2010. On this weekend’s show, Mellor said he hoped that Ken would lose the election so he’d be able to come back to LBC.

Jacqui Smith has presented a number of programmes for LBC over the last year as well as fronting a special on pornography for BBC Radio 5 live. She said: “I’m very excited to be joining the great team at LBC 97.3 and hearing what listeners have to say about the big issues of the day. Although David Mellor and I come from opposite sides in the House of Commons, I’m looking forward to us being on the same side of the mic on Saturday mornings – even if not usually on the same side of the argument!”

LBC 97.3’s Managing Editor James Rea said: “Jacqui Smith has brought her unique insight and experience to LBC 97.3 and quickly established herself as a popular presenter. Now with David Mellor, the pair will be a straight-talking, must-listen double-act for Saturdays mornings.”

Tags: bbc, bbc radio 5 live, global radio, lbc

Category: People News