Angela Scanlon takes over Sara Cox's drivetime slot on Radio 2

Angela Scanlon is to take over BBC Radio 2's drivetime show after Sara Cox moved to the breakfast slot.

The Irish personality said it was "properly exciting" to be hosting the station's 16:00-19:00 show every weekday from November.

She said: "Millions of people, all having completely different days, piling into the same conversation for a few hours - what a strange and lovely thing!"

Scanlon, who hosted a Sunday early morning programme on the station from 2018 to 2021, was among a number of people who filled in after Cox vacated the drivetime slot in May, including Joel Dommett, Jason Manford, Ellie Taylor, Alex Jones and Gary Davies.

Scanlon is also known for The One Show, This Morning, Your Home Made Perfect, The Apprentice: Unfinished Business, and for taking part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023.

"Every weekday, I'll be in your ears, your cars and your kitchens - on the school run, on the way home, or standing at the hob wondering what on earth to feed a small but hungry mob," she said.

"I want all of it: the stories, the opinions, the chaos, the tiny triumphs and the things you probably shouldn't admit on national radio."

Radio 2 controller Helen Thomas described Scanlon as "incredibly warm and quick witted and proved to be extremely popular with the Radio 2 audience this summer".

She added: "Drivetime is such an important show in terms of ensuring people get home and start their evenings in a positive and upbeat mood, and I'm delighted Angela will be taking up the reins in November.

"I'd like to extend my thanks to all the hosts who have presented in this slot since our Sara moved on up to Breakfast."

Scanlon also hosted the Virgin Radio weekend breakfast show after Graham Norton's departure in 2024, and co-hosts the Get A Grip podcast.

New country show host

Meanwhile, Radio 2 has also announced that Ben Earle will present the station's weekly country music programme following the departure of longtime host Bob Harris.

"Whispering" Bob, who presented the show for 27 years, announced his departure in June, weeks after revealing his prostate cancer has spread to his spine.

Earle, one half of British country group The Shires, has also fronted a weekly show on Absolute Radio Country for the past five years.

Thomas said: "His knowledge, passion and enthusiasm for the genre, coupled with his years as a musician plus experience presenting on the radio, make him the ideal person to pick up the reins from the legendary Bob Harris. Like Bob, I hope Ben hosts the show for decades to come."