Mark Forrest to host BBC networked show

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.