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

Angela Scanlon has been confirmed as the new presenter of BBC Radio 2's drivetime programme, stepping into the 16:00-19:00 weekday slot vacated by Sara Cox earlier this year. The Irish broadcaster and television personality will begin hosting the show from November, the station announced on Monday.

Scanlon described the appointment as "properly exciting," adding that the opportunity to connect with listeners across the country during their journey home was something she relished. "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 of the role.

The announcement was made on Cox's breakfast show on Monday morning, with Scanlon appearing as a guest to share the news with listeners. Cox moved to the flagship breakfast programme in May, succeeding Scott Mills, and her departure from drivetime left a significant gap in the station's afternoon schedule.

Scanlon is no stranger to Radio 2 audiences. She previously hosted a Sunday early morning programme on the station between 2018 and 2021, and she was among a rotating group of presenters who filled in after Cox vacated the drivetime slot. Others who covered the programme during the interim period included Joel Dommett, Jason Manford, Ellie Taylor, Alex Jones and Gary Davies.

Beyond radio, Scanlon has built a prominent television career. She is known for her work on The One Show, This Morning, Your Home Made Perfect and The Apprentice: Unfinished Business. In 2023, she participated in Strictly Come Dancing, further raising her profile with mainstream audiences. She also hosted the Virgin Radio weekend breakfast show after Graham Norton's departure in 2024 and co-hosts the Get A Grip podcast.

In her statement, Scanlon painted a vivid picture of the audience she hopes to reach. "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."

Helen Thomas, the controller of Radio 2, welcomed Scanlon's appointment, describing her as "incredibly warm and quick witted" and noting that she "proved to be extremely popular with the Radio 2 audience this summer." Thomas emphasised the importance of the drivetime slot in setting the tone for listeners' evenings, saying it plays a key role in ensuring people "get home and start their evenings in a positive and upbeat mood."

Thomas also expressed gratitude to the presenters who had kept the slot running during the months since Cox's promotion. "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," she said. The rotation of guest hosts provided continuity for listeners while the station searched for a permanent replacement.

The drivetime programme is one of the most strategically important slots in the Radio 2 schedule, bridging the gap between daytime and evening programming and capturing a large audience of commuters, parents and workers winding down their day. Scanlon's appointment signals the station's intention to maintain a warm, conversational tone in the slot, building on the success she demonstrated during her summer cover work.

In a separate announcement, Radio 2 also confirmed that Ben Earle will take over the station's weekly country music programme. Earle succeeds the legendary broadcaster Bob Harris, known affectionately as "Whispering Bob," who presented the show for 27 years. Harris announced his departure in June, just weeks after revealing that his prostate cancer had spread to his spine.

Earle is best known as one half of the British country group The Shires. He has also presented a weekly show on Absolute Radio Country for the past five years, building a reputation for his knowledge of the genre and his connection with listeners. His experience as both a musician and a broadcaster positions him well to carry forward the programme's legacy.

Thomas praised Earle's credentials, saying 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 added, "Like Bob, I hope Ben hosts the show for decades to come."

Harris's departure marked the end of an era for Radio 2, where he had been a fixture for decades and had spent 56 years on air overall. His health disclosure in the spring prompted an outpouring of support from listeners and colleagues across the music industry. His influence on country and roots music broadcasting in the UK is widely regarded as unmatched.

The dual announcements reflect Radio 2's broader strategy of refreshing its schedule while maintaining continuity with familiar voices. Cox's move to breakfast earlier this year reshuffled the station's daytime lineup, and the appointments of Scanlon and Earle complete the transition for two of its most music- and personality-driven programmes.

Scanlon's arrival at drivetime comes at a time when radio audiences continue to fragment across streaming platforms and podcasts. Her appeal across television, radio and digital media — combined with her podcasting experience — may help Radio 2 retain and grow its afternoon listenership. Her ability to blend humour, warmth and spontaneity will be central to that effort.

Earle, meanwhile, inherits a country music programme with a devoted following built over nearly three decades under Harris. His task will be to honour that heritage while attracting newer fans of a genre that has surged in popularity in the UK in recent years, thanks in part to artists like The Shires themselves.

Both presenters will begin their new roles in the coming months, with Scanlon's drivetime show launching in November. Further details about Earle's start date and the format of his programme are expected to be announced in due course. For now, Radio 2 has signalled its confidence in two presenters with deep musical and broadcasting credentials.