BBC Radio hit by new shakeup as host leaves show for different programme
There are set to be further changes to the BBC Radio line-up in the coming months as yet another presenter has announced they are stepping down from one of its shows.
It's been announced that BBC Radio 4 presenter Emma Barnett, 39 will leave the show Woman's Hour in April. She however will remain on the radio station, becoming the latest host of the Today programme moving forward.
The BBC shared the news on Friday and said that Emma - who joined Woman's Hour back in 2021 - will also front TV documentaries and other cross-platform content. She's teased what listeners can expect in her own statement.
"We are living in volatile times where sometimes even asking a question can seem risky - wrongly so. My ambition on the Today programme is to keep asking the questions that listeners want answers to - as well as raising many smiles along the way - while armed with a very strong cup of tea," she commented ahead of her new role.
Emma added: "My time on Woman's Hour means a great deal to me and I want to thank the team and our mighty army of listeners for how much we have shared - the joy, wisdom, sorrow and sometimes sheer rage. I will carry so many of those moments with me for the rest of my life."
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Emma Barnett has announced that she's stepping down from BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour to host the radio station's the Today programme (BBC Radio 4/PA Wire)The BBC has said that it will now be recruiting a new presenter for Woman's Hour following Emma's departure. She commented in her statement: "I will greatly miss being within the rare and unique space Woman’s Hour provides, where most days anything can happen and routinely does. All power to the next person gifted the opportunity."
The news of her new roles follows the announcement just last month that Martha Kearney, who is one of the hosts of Today, will be leaving the show later this year. She's due to step away from the show after the next General Election.
And it comes amid other changes at BBC Radio, including a shake-up at BBC Radio 1 at the moment following the departure of Jordan North, who's joined rival Capital FM. He used to front the drivetime show with Vick Hope.
Jamie Laing has now replaced Jordan. The former Made in Chelsea cast member is joined by Vick and Katie Thistleton on the afternoon show. And there are set to be additional changes at the radio station over the coming months.
It includes Mollie King and Matt Edmondson leaving their afternoon slot towards the end of each week. They will instead be on air Monday to Thursday from July, replacing Vicky Hawkesworth and Dean McCullough in the schedule.
From July, Dean will take over the early breakfast show on his own. Arielle Free, who currently has that slot, will remain on the station but as the host of a new dance show on Thursday nights from the end of April. Whilst Dean's former co-host Vicky will instead join Nat O'Leary to present new late morning shows towards the end of the week from July.
Other changes at the radio station include Lauren Layfield and Shanequa Paris having been unveiled as the new hosts of its Life Hacks show, which airs on Sunday afternoons. The pair are set to replace Vick and Katie from April.
And Chris Sawyer, a producer on Greg James' breakfast show, has announced his departure. The producer, who is understood to have worked on the station since 2009, said recently that his final show with Greg would be this week.
Elsewhere on BBC Radio, Dr Ranj Singh has announced that his three month rotation as a host on the BBC Asian Network's Motivation has ended. He however teased a potential return, saying it was his final show "for now".
There has been various other changes at BBC Radio announced in recent months. It includes Clara Amfo having announced in December last year that she will being stepping down from BBC Radio 1's Future Sounds in April.
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