Angela Scanlon takes over BBC Radio 2 Drivetime show after ‘little summer fling’

Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon is to take over as the presenter of the BBC Radio 2 Drivetime show after a “little summer fling” in which she hosted the programme earlier this year.

The 42-year-old will replace Sara Cox, who is now the presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, on the programme which runs from 4pm to 7pm on weekdays.

Speaking as she was announced as the new host on Cox’s Breakfast Show, Scanlon said: “I feel like I had a little summer fling, and it was all fun, but we only got to know the best of each other.

“And I want warts and all, like I want to know the listeners’ dirty little secrets, I can’t wait. We’re going steady now, or at least that’s the plan.”

Scanlon takes on the role after Cox moved to the Radio 2 Breakfast Show (BBC)

Scanlon said she found out she had got the job when buying a sling for her friend in the baby section of John Lewis, leading to some of her friends thinking she was going on Cox’s show on Monday to announce a pregnancy.

She added: “It hasn’t fully felt real until this point, and now I guess is the time, there’s some ideas bubbling away in my head, but I just want it to be all about the listeners.

“As you (Cox) say, it feels like such a beautiful time of day, like school runs and people coming home from work and cooking, and there’s a lovely intimacy to that.

“So I just want to get to know everybody, the chaos of family life, and the reality of everyday living.”

Earlier this year, Scanlon was also part of the BBC’s Eurovision coverage alongside Rylan Clark, hosted The Apprentice spin-off Unfinished Business on BBC Two, and has presented ITV’s This Morning.

Speaking after taking over, Scanlon said: “Taking over Radio 2 Drivetime is properly exciting. Millions of people, all having completely different days, piling into the same conversation for a few hours – what a strange and lovely thing!

“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.

“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.

“And to be wedged between Trevor Nelson and Jo Whiley – two absolute radio legends – is quite the sandwich. I cannot wait to get stuck in. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”

Scanlon made her Radio 2 debut on the Sunday early breakfast show from 2018 to 2021, and has also provided cover for other programmes.

Ben Earle is to take over as the host of The Radio 2 Country Show (BBC)

Further changes at Radio 2 will see Ben Earle take over from Bob Harris as the presenter of The Radio 2 Country Show, which airs from 9pm to 10pm on Thursdays, after Harris, who had presented the show since 1999, stepped down last year due to health issues.

The presenter shake-up has already included Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two presenter Ellie Taylor replace Strictly Come Dancing main show host Emma Willis on the Saturday lunchtime show from 1pm to 3pm, until Strictly ends.