Angela Scanlon Named New Host of BBC Radio 2 Drivetime, Ben Earle to Lead Country Show

Angela Scanlon will become the permanent host of BBC Radio 2's drivetime programme, the station confirmed on Monday, filling the 16:00 to 19:00 weekday slot left vacant when Sara Cox moved to the flagship breakfast show earlier this year. The Irish presenter, who has built a wide-ranging career across television, radio and streaming, will begin broadcasting in November, taking charge of one of the most listened-to hours in British radio.

The announcement was made on Cox's breakfast programme, where Scanlon appeared as a guest to reveal the news. Speaking about the appointment, Scanlon described the opportunity as "properly exciting," adding that the prospect of addressing millions of listeners simultaneously held a unique appeal. "Millions of people, all having completely different days, piling into the same conversation for a few hours – what a strange and lovely thing," she said.

Scanlon is no stranger to the Radio 2 audience. Between 2018 and 2021, she presented a Sunday early morning programme on the network, a stint that introduced her to the station's loyal listenership. That familiarity, combined with her broader broadcasting profile, is likely to have factored into the decision to hand her one of Radio 2's most prominent daily slots.

Since Cox departed drivetime in May to take over the breakfast show, the programme has been steered by a rotating roster of guest presenters. Among those who filled in were Joel Dommett, Jason Manford, Ellie Taylor, Alex Jones and Gary Davies, each bringing a distinct style to the afternoon airwaves while the station assessed its long-term options. The summer trial period effectively served as an extended audition, with Scanlon emerging as the preferred candidate.

Helen Thomas, controller of Radio 2, praised Scanlon's on-air qualities in announcing the appointment. She described the presenter as "incredibly warm and quick witted" and noted that she had "proved to be extremely popular with the Radio 2 audience this summer." Thomas also emphasised the strategic importance of the drivetime slot, saying it plays a vital role in helping listeners wind down and begin their evenings in a positive and upbeat mood. "I'm delighted Angela will be taking up the reins in November," she added, before thanking all the presenters who had kept the show running during the interim period.

Scanlon has outlined an inclusive vision for the programme, promising to engage with the everyday realities of her audience. "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. She went on to invite listeners to share "the stories, the opinions, the chaos, the tiny triumphs and the things you probably shouldn't admit on national radio," signalling a conversational, personality-driven approach.

Beyond radio, Scanlon is a familiar face on British television. She has presented The One Show and This Morning, fronted the home-makeover series Your Home Made Perfect and hosted The Apprentice: Unfinished Business, a companion programme to the long-running business competition. In 2023, she appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, further raising her public profile. She also hosted the Virgin Radio weekend breakfast show following Graham Norton's departure in 2024 and co-hosts the Get A Grip podcast.

Her appointment comes as Radio 2 continues to reshape its schedule following a series of high-profile changes. Cox's elevation to the breakfast slot, announced in April, was itself a significant moment for the station, as she replaced Scott Mills. The knock-on effect of that move opened drivetime, setting in motion the search that has now concluded with Scanlon's selection. The station has clearly prioritised continuity and warmth in its choice, opting for a presenter already known to its audience rather than an entirely new voice.

In a separate announcement, Radio 2 also confirmed that Ben Earle will take over the station's weekly country music programme. He succeeds the long-serving Bob Harris, known to listeners as "Whispering Bob," who presented the show for 27 years before announcing his departure in June. Harris's decision came weeks after he disclosed that his prostate cancer had spread to his spine, a revelation that prompted an outpouring of support from colleagues and fans.

Earle brings substantial credentials to the role. He is one half of the British country group The Shires, one of the most successful acts to emerge from the UK country scene, and has presented a weekly show on Absolute Radio Country for the past five years. His combination of musical artistry and broadcasting experience positions him well to guide the programme through its next chapter.

Thomas welcomed Earle's appointment warmly, highlighting the qualities he shares with his predecessor. "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," she said. She added that she hopes Earle will host the show for decades to come, echoing the remarkable longevity of Harris's tenure.

The two announcements together signal a period of renewal at Radio 2, which remains one of the most popular stations in the United Kingdom. As audiences increasingly fragment across streaming platforms and digital stations, the network's ability to retain established names while introducing fresh talent has become a central part of its strategy. Scanlon's blend of warmth, humour and broad appeal fits that brief, while Earle's specialist knowledge speaks to the station's commitment to niche music programming.

For Scanlon, the move represents a return to a station where she first made her mark in radio. Her progression from a weekend early-morning slot to the heart of the weekday schedule illustrates both her growing stature in the industry and Radio 2's confidence in her ability to hold a large, diverse audience. With drivetime attracting millions of listeners each afternoon, the pressure will be significant, but her track record suggests she is ready for it.

Listeners will hear Scanlon's first drivetime show in November, when she takes over the 16:00 to 19:00 slot permanently. Until then, the programme will continue with its roster of guest hosts. Earle's country show will likewise transition in due course, marking the end of an era under Harris and the beginning of a new one for a genre that continues to grow in popularity across the UK.

Both appointments underscore a broader truth about modern broadcasting: success depends on personalities who can build genuine connections with audiences over time. Radio 2's decision to invest in Scanlon and Earle reflects an understanding that familiar voices, paired with genuine expertise, remain the medium's most valuable currency in an increasingly crowded media landscape.