Angela Scanlon will assume control of the 4-7pm weekday Drivetime slot on BBC Radio 2 starting in November. She succeeds Sara Cox as part of a broader programming refresh at the public broadcaster.
Angela Scanlon's transition to the 4-7pm weekday slot
The appointment of Angela Scanlon to the Drivetime show follows a successful summer stint where she guest-hosted the slot alongside Joel Dommett. According to the report, Scanlon viewed those summer broadcasts as a "live audition" for the permanent role. Helen Thomas, the Head of Radio 2, stated that Scanlon is "incredibly warm and quick witted," noting that the presenter had already proven her popularity with the BBC Radio 2 audience during her temporary tenure.
The transition was announced live by Sara Cox during her Breakfast Show on Monday. During the broadcast, Angela Scanlon admitted to being "slightly terrified" by the permanence of the role,contrasting the stability of a "real job" with the ephemeral nature of her previous guest appearances. Scanlon is scheduled to begin her full-time duties in November , wedged in the schedule between radio veterans Trevor Nelson and Jo Whiley.
Ben Earle replaces Bob Harris on the Thursday night Country Show
In a second major move,BBC Radio 2 has named Ben Earle as the new presenter of The Radio 2 Country Show, which airs every Thursday from 9-10pm. Ben Earle, a singer-songwriter and member of the bestselling UK Country duo The Shires, takes over from Bob Harris. As reported, Bob Harris had been the face of the program since 1999 but stepped down earlier this year due to health concerns.
Ben Earle is not a stranger to the format, having previously filled in for Bob Harris in 2019. That brief period of hosting helped Earle secure the CMA International Country Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2020, providing a strong credential for his permanent appointment to the Thursday night slot.
From Virgin Radio to the 'dysfunctional family' of BBC Radio 2
The move to BBC Radio 2 represents a significant consolidation of Angela Scanlon's media presence. In 2024, Scanlon had already secured the Weekend Breakfast slot at Virgin Radio UK, succeeding Graham Norton. Her versatility acoss platforms is a key asset for the BBC;she currently co-hosts the chart-topping podcast Get A Grip, appears regularly on ITV's This Morning, and recently fronted The Apprentice: Unfinished Business on BBC Two.
This trajectory mirrors a wider industry trend where legacy broadcasters prioritize "multi-hyphenate" talent—personalities who can drive engagement across linear radio, television, and digital podcasts simultaneously.. By integrating a presenter who already commands a loyal podcast audience and a strong TV presence, BBC Radio 2 is effectively diversifying its reach to capture younger demographics who may not tune in to traditional radio but follow specific personalities across the web.
The 'wider shake-up' hinted at by Helen Thomas
While the appointments of Angela Scanlon and Ben Earle are concrete, the report mentions that these changes signal the start of a "wider Radio 2 shake-up." This phrasing suggests that further personnel shifts or scheduling changes may be imminent, though the BBC has not yet detailed who else might be affected or which other slots are under review.
It remains unclear if the "shake-up" involves a strategic pivot in musical direction or a broader effort to refresh the station's aging brand. Because the current announcement focuses exclusively on the Drivetime and Country Show slots, listeners and industry observers are left wondering if other long-standing presenters will be moved or replaced in the coming months.
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