BBC Radio 2 legend replaced after 7 years as schedule shake-up continues

11 August 2023 , 11:46

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BBC Radio 2 has announced new shake-ups to the schedule

Steve Wright is poised to replace Paul Gambaccini as the host of the long-standing programme, Pick Of The Pops after stepping down from his weekday afternoon slot after 23 years.

Pick Of The Pops airs every Saturday afternoon from 1pm to 3pm and is known for featuring chart-topping music from the past. Gambaccini, 74, who has been at the helm since 2016, will now transition to a Sunday evening slot where he will debut a brand new live show.

Wright, 68, expressed his excitement about taking over the "legendary" Pick Of The Pops, saying: "Gambo (Gambaccini) brilliantly made it his own over the last seven and a half years, and now it's my chance to give it a go!"

He assured fans that while there would be changes, the essence of the show would remain intact. "It's a great privilege to present such an iconic show on Radio 2, and Pick Of The Pops fans don't worry it's going be the same and different at the same time."

Wright also teased other upcoming Radio 2 shows, including Your Ultimate Kylie Song, where he'll count down the top songs of pop icon Kylie Minogue, as voted by listeners. "Like most people around the world I'm a huge Kylie fan, and can't wait to hear which song takes that number one spot!"

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Wright left his afternoon show on Radio 2 in September last year, with Scott Mills taking over.

Paul Gambaccini has hosted BBC Radio 2s Pick Of The Pops since 2016 (PA Archive)

Reflecting on his tenure at Pick Of The Pops and his future with Radio 2, Gambaccini said: "This year marks the 25th anniversary of my happy relationship with Radio 2, which began with America's Greatest Hits." He added: "When I accepted the Pick Of The Pops assignment in 2016, I was told it would be for between five and 10 years."

"I am overjoyed that the new show will provide me with the platform to showcase overlooked masterpieces from the past century, whether they're hidden album tracks, 7 B-sides or underrated hits," the presenter announced. "The show will be live, because live is best. There's no greater joy for a presenter than sharing handpicked music with dedicated long-term listeners."

Expressing gratitude for his illustrious career, he said: "I'm also humbled that this autumn Radio 2 will commemorate my 50 continuous years as a national broadcaster, which kicked off on Radio 1 in October 1973."

Gambaccini's upcoming show promises a nostalgic journey, as the radio personality delves into the archives to unearth forgotten tracks spanning eight decades.

This October, Radio 2 plans to honour his half-century milestone as a national broadcaster with a special celebratory show. Radio 2's future lineup also includes exciting commissions such as Dr Who @ 60: A Musical Celebration, a grand concert set to take place at BBC Hoddinott Hall in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. The star-studded guest list features Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and composer Murray Gold, as the show commemorates 60 glorious years of the iconic BBC TV programme.

Wright will take the helm of Pick Of The Pops from Saturday, October 21, and continue to serenade listeners with Love Songs every Sunday morning from 9am to 11am.

* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Charlotte McIntyre