New host for Radio 2’s Sunday Half Hour

Songs of Praise presenter Diane-Louise Joran is to take over as host of BBC Radio 2’s long-running weekly hymns and prayers programme Sunday Half Hour.

It follows the decision of Father Brian D’Arcy to leave the show after five years, with his last show this coming weekend.

Father D’Arcy says: “I’ve enjoyed presenting Sunday Half-Hour immensely since 2007 but I’ve decided that this is an opportune time to move on. I’m delighted to hand over to Diane and I wish her the very best of luck in presenting this much loved programme.”

Bob Shennan, Controller BBC Radio 2 added: “I would like to thank Father Brian for his work over the past five years. He has been an important voice on radio 2 and I am pleased that his relationship with us will continue through his contributions to Pause For Thought. Diane is a terrific broadcaster and a perfect fit for Sunday Half Hour and we look forward to welcoming her to the station.”

Diane-Louise – who first made her name in TV as a Blue Peter presenter – said: “I feel both privileged and excited about being invited into such an established and much-loved programme, and am greatly looking forward to enticing as wide an audience as I can to this sparkling BBC gem.”