Angela Scanlon to take over Sara Cox's drivetime slot on Radio 2
Angela Scanlon has been named the host of BBC Radio 2's Drivetime show, broadcasting weekdays from November as part of a schedule overhaul.
- Development: Angela Scanlon to take over Sara Cox's drivetime slot on Radio 2
- Core Takeaway: Angela Scanlon has been named the host of BBC Radio 2's Drivetime show, broadcasting weekdays from November as part of a schedule overhaul.
- Context: Primary reporting aggregated across independent newsrooms and verified against CurrentDeck standards.
BBC Radio 2 has confirmed a schedule overhaul, headlined by Angela Scanlon securing the Drivetime slot. Scanlon steps into the weekday slot following Sara Cox’s move to the Breakfast show earlier in the year. The broadcaster tested several guest presenters in the drivetime slot over the summer, including Joel Dommett, Jason Manford, Ellie Taylor, Alex Jones, and Gary Davies, before selecting Scanlon for the role.
Reflecting on her new appointment, Scanlon admitted she kept the news quiet for several weeks and confessed to a mix of excitement and nerves. She appeared on Sara Cox's breakfast show to discuss the transition, noting that her summer stints hosting the Drivetime slot served as an audition for the real thing.
"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!"
Angela Scanlon, Drivetime Presenter, via BBC News
Helen Thomas Welcomes the Broadcaster Back Full-Time
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, praised Scanlon's warmth and wit following her successful summer run on the network. Thomas noted that Drivetime plays a vital role in helping listeners get home and start their evenings in a positive and upbeat mood.
"She’s incredibly warm and quick witted and proved to be extremely popular with the Radio 2 audience this summer. She’s already well known to our listeners through her extensive work over many years across TV and Radio and I always knew she’d make a triumphant return here!"
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, via Mirror
Scanlon’s broadcasting background includes hosting a Sunday early breakfast show on Radio 2 from 2018 to 2021, fronting Virgin Radio UK's Weekend Breakfast slot after Graham Norton's departure in 2024, and co-hosting the Get A Grip podcast. Her television credits span programmes such as The One Show, Your Home Made Perfect, Robot Wars, The Apprentice: Unfinished Business, and co-hosting Eurovision coverage with Rylan.
Ben Earle Takes Over the Weekly Country Show
In addition to the Drivetime changes, the Radio 2 Country Show welcomes Ben Earle as its new Thursday evening presenter (9-10pm). Earle succeeds Bob Harris, who stepped down due to ill health after presenting the show since 1999.
Earle, a singer and songwriter in The Shires, brings five years of presenting experience from Absolute Radio Country. Helen Thomas expressed enthusiasm for his appointment, noting his musical expertise and expressing hope that he will helm the programme for decades to come. Darius Rucker had previously hosted the show during the interim period.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Angela Scanlon Drivetime Slot Start | November |
| Ben Earle Country Show Slot | Thursday evenings (9-10pm) |
| Ellie Taylor Saturday Slot | Autumn (Saturdays, 1-3pm) |
| Radio 2 Weekly Audience | 12.4 million listeners (RAJAR Q2, 2026) |
Autumn Schedule Adjustments and Comedian Ellie Taylor
Further reshaping the weekend lineup, comedian Ellie Taylor has taken over Emma Willis's Saturday lunchtime show. Taylor began presenting the slot (1-3pm) starting Saturday, September 26, while Willis presents Strictly Come Dancing. Simultaneously, Taylor makes her debut as the presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Angela Scanlon start her new Drivetime show?
Angela Scanlon begins her weekday Drivetime show in November.
Who did Ben Earle replace on the Radio 2 Country Show?
Ben Earle succeeded Bob Harris, who stepped down from the role due to ill health after presenting the show since 1999.
Listeners and fans awaiting the official start of the new presenting roster can catch up on previous network programming, including sets from Radio 2 in the Park, via BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer while the station prepares for its autumn lineup transition.
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