The spring schedule for BBC Radio 2 will include a new weekly show for Zoe Ball and a time slot change for Pick of the Pops.
Zoe Ball will launch a Saturday show (1-3pm) from May, playing some of her favourite music and as previously announced, she will also host Elaine Paige: 60 Years in Showbusiness, a world exclusive concert honouring the career of the Radio 2 presenter.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Zoe is one of the UK’s most loved presenters, so I’m thrilled to announce that she has a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes, plus she’ll be hosting various specials for us throughout the year.”
On Friday 25th April, a range of musical theatre stars will perform some of Elaine’s favourite songs at the London Palladium, which will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday 4th May (8-10pm).
A special this April for Radio 2 and BBC TV, will see Elaine in conversation with Zoe in which Elaine tells the story of her life and career.
Also in May, Pick of the Pops, hosted by Mark Goodier and currently broadcast Saturday lunchtimes, will move to Sundays, 5-7pm.
Mark says: “I presented my first BBC Radio 1 Top 40 in 1988, so I hope bringing Pick of the Pops to the traditional Sunday afternoon chart show home is an irresistible invitation to pop fans of all generations to join me for a nostalgic look back to some of the greatest songs from across the decades.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “Placing Pick of the Pops in the live early evening Sunday slot is a throwback to years gone by, when we’d gather around the radio to listen to the chart countdown, and we didn’t have access to programming in our pocket.
“These days, Pick of the Pops fans can listen to the programme on demand, at any time and anywhere that suits them, on BBC Sounds.”
Rob Beckett has decided to step down from his Sunday afternoon show in April, just before Easter, but will continue to appear on Radio 2 as a cover presenter.
Richie Anderson will launch a new Sunday night into Monday morning show, midnight-3am in April, broadcasting live from BBC MediaCity in Salford.
Phil Williams will continue as a cover presenter on Radio 2, including deputising for OJ Borg.
Other highlights on the station this spring include the Country music festival, C2C – Country to Country, Radio 2 Loves Brass, Top Brass presented by James Morrison, Remembering Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Vine presenting a documentary, The Heat is On in Saigon, marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, Michelle Visage – The Musicals That Changed My Life, Big Night of Musicals returns for a fourth year and Radio 2 is commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day – 8th May, 1945 – with a concert, BBC Radio 2 presents: VE Day 80 – A Swinging Celebration, at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in London presented by Vernon Kay. Full details can be found here.
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