Smooth start for Simon Bates

Smooth Radio's long-awaited breakfast show presenter Simon Bates hosted his first show on the station this morning.

The national station launched in the summer but had to wait for Simon to leave his previous position at Classic FM before securing their choice of breakfast presenter.

Simon will bring his old features back to life including Our Tune and The Golden Hour, which will air weekdays at 9am. He replaces Lynn Parsons who's been covering on the flagship show for three months since all local breakfast presenters departed when the station went quasi-national.

Steve Collins, Smooth Radio Programme Director, said: “Simon Bates is a class act and has been warmly welcomed by the Smooth Radio audience today. If you’re looking for an entertaining yet calm start to your day then the new Smooth Radio Breakfast Show is the place for you. There will be some familiar features that Simon is synonymous with too, including The Golden Hour and Britain’s all time favourite radio feature, Our Tune.”

Meanwhile, his replacement at Classic FM, John Suchet, starts his new mid-morning show today. John said: “To be broadcasting live, five mornings a week, about my favourite subject is a dream come true and I cannot wait to become better acquainted with Classic FM's millions of listeners.”