Mark Forrest to host BBC networked show

04/10/2012 - 13:56 | 9 Replies More

Former Classic FM presenter Mark Forrest is to host the BBC’s networked Local Radio Evening programme.

The new show starts in on January 7th 2013 from Leeds and replaces local programming on stations in England with a single output.

Mark was most recently hosting breakfast on Classic FM. He’s previously presented drive on the station, and also worked for Heart, Virgin and 5 live.

In the last few months he’s been at BBC Radio York breakfast and covering shows on London’s Magic 105.4 and Smooth Radio.

Andrew Robson, Head of BBC Local Radio Development, said: “Mark is a fantastically talented presenter with a great track record in both music and talk presentation. His warm style and sharp sense of humour should make weekday evenings on BBC Local Radio a great listen.”

The show will be known simply as ‘Mark Forrest’ and will be broadcast from the studio at BBC Radio Leeds. Wire Free Productions will produce the programme.

Speaking from his home in Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales, Mark said: “This is a tremendous opportunity. Not only is this a brand new show which will be syndicated across all 39 BBC Local Radio stations in England and the Channel Islands, but it has simply never been done before. I’m hosting a programme which will take the very best stories from around the country and present them to a national audience. That is a challenge but a very exciting one – I can’t wait to get started.”

Husain Husaini from Wire Free Productions will be executive producer on the programme. He welcomed Mark’s appointment: “We are really looking forward to working with Mark, he is a very capable and versatile broadcaster who knows the local radio audience well which makes him perfect for this new show.”

All BBC Local Radio stations will broadcast the ‘Mark Forrest’ programme, except in instances such as major breaking news stories or sport commentaries.


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Category: Industry News

  • Lester Forbes

    bbc local radio becomes even more pointless

  • http://www.facebook.com/john.hawdon John Hawdon

    So basically, it’s a national programme on a national radio station? Is BBC local radio going in the same direction as the commercial ones and losing it’s local identity, programmes and presenters? The accountants strike again!

  • Brian Winter

    Whilst I am sad to see the loss of any local output from BBC locals one has to remember that this is a compromise from what was originally proposed. Furthermore, between 7 and 10 I cannot see that BBC locals have that many listeners, except for maybe when they are covering footie or rugby. I am disappointed that it is being based in ONE station. I would have hoped, and liked it to have been carted about the country so that it has a different ‘feel’ each nigt or week. Still, Mark is a competent and able broadcaster and i will give it a listen just to see what it is like. My only other concern is breakdowns, which mean it doesn’t get to all the stations. The local radio cicuits are getting on in years, and have recently shown to be unreliable.

    • Radio Geordie

      The problem with hosting from different stations each week is a simple one – cost.
      He’s only hosting the show from Leeds as its the closest studios to where he lives.

  • Dave Wiggy Wiggins

    The BBC Should Get This Well Known D.j. And Presenter
    David Hamilton To Host Networked Show That Would Be So Much Better Then Mark Forrest

    • Mr Severn Sound Fm

      That Would Not Be Good Wright Now!

  • David Brockman

    The concept has been done before but on BBC Television when the regions hooked up into a network on BBC1 weekdays with Natiowide in the 60′s & 70, hosted among others by Michael Barratt. It is a shame that the BBC is scaling down its’ local radio to such an extent. There is an audience out there willing to listen to local radio past 7pm and they are not all seeking sport.

    At Huntingdon Community Radio (HCR104fm) our weeknight community show Over To You at 7 gets a good following, as do our specialist music shows at 8, including Soul & Mowtown, Rock & Roll, Country & Western & Soft Rock. Our Friday arts and events show Spotlight attracts local bands, writers, film makers and stage shows, and on Sundays at 7 Brief Encounters (similar to Dessert Island Discs) gets a good following. All these shows get comments and responses on Facebook & Twitter.

    In some cases where local BBC content has gone off-air, local community stations will fill the breech. At the end of the day, it is still a sad day to see such a swathe of local radio programming be air-brushed out of broadcasting history in the UK

  • Alan Wood

    Oh thanks bbc ,I’m losing Roger Day in evening.one of the only shows I enjoy.Still what does it matter if you lose listeners as long as you save money.Strange there still seems plenty in pot for pay offs for failure at top and so called stars.,Not looking forward to next year !!!!THANKS!!!!

  • Polly

    I live in Berkshire but I don’t listen to local BBC radio (basically because I don’t like it). I can sympathise with those of you who listen to your local BBC radio station and have done for some time. However, Mark Forrest will come up with the goods every time and I will consider myself very lucky that I will be able to hear him as well. Classic FM’s loss is your gain!!!

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