BBC 5 Live heads north at night

BBC Manchester will play host to BBC Radio 5 Live's new late-night show with Tony Livesey from January 11th.

Tony, who previously hosted the breakfast show on BBC Radio Lancashire will use BBC Network studios in Manchester until 5 Live moves to the area in 2011.

He is taking over from Richard Bacon in the 10:30pm till 1am slot Monday to Thursday when Richard moves to daytime. Stephen Nolan's programme on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays already comes from Manchester so now the station's late-night strand will come from Manchester seven days a week.

BBC Radio 2's Radcliffe and Maconie show already broadcasts from the studio complex on Oxford Road, each weeknight from 8pm till 10pm.

Radio 5 Live Controller Adrian Van Klaveren says the new programme is a major landmark in the planning for 5 Live's full move in 2011: "The new late-night show should be essential listening for anyone who wants to be informed and entertained at the end of the day."

The entire BBC Manchester operation will move to Salford Quays in 2011 along with 5 Live, BBC Children's, BBC Learning, BBC Sport and parts of BBC Future Media and Technology. The moves means Media City UK will be home to over 2,000 BBC staff.

Tony says: "Now 5 Live's late nights have moved house and landed on my door step, I can promise to be at the centre of all the big news sport and showbiz stories. I can't wait to swap stories with listeners right across the UK.

"I can't guarantee the weather up here but I will promise that my show will leave people with a smile."