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

Angela Scanlon has been named the new presenter of BBC Radio 2's flagship drivetime programme, stepping into the 16:00 to 19:00 weekday slot that Sara Cox vacated earlier this year. The Irish broadcaster will begin hosting the show from November, the station confirmed on Monday. The announcement was made on Cox's breakfast programme, where Scanlon appeared as a guest to share the news with listeners.

Scanlon described the appointment as "properly exciting," emphasising the unique connection that radio fosters between a host and a vast, diverse audience. In a statement, she reflected on the strange and lovely nature of the job, noting that millions of people experiencing completely different days all pile into the same conversation for a few hours each afternoon. Her remarks underscored the intimate yet communal appeal of drivetime radio, a slot that accompanies listeners through school runs, commutes, and evening meal preparations.

The host also signalled that she intends to embrace the full spectrum of human experience during her shows. She said she wants to hear the stories, the opinions, the chaos, the tiny triumphs, and even the things people probably should not admit on national radio. That invitation suggests her tenure will aim for the warm, confessional tone that has become a hallmark of Radio 2's most successful presenters.

Scanlon is hardly a newcomer to the Radio 2 airwaves. Between 2018 and 2021, she presented a Sunday early morning programme on the station, building a rapport with listeners that station executives clearly believe has endured. More recently, she was among a rotating group of presenters who filled the drivetime slot on an interim basis after Cox departed in May. That group included Joel Dommett, Jason Manford, Ellie Taylor, Alex Jones, and Gary Davies, each of whom auditioned for the role in effect by steering the show through the summer and early autumn.

Beyond radio, Scanlon has become a familiar face on British television. She is known for her work on The One Show, This Morning, Your Home Made Perfect, and The Apprentice: Unfinished Business. In 2023, she took part in Strictly Come Dancing, further raising her public profile. She also hosted the Virgin Radio weekend breakfast show after Graham Norton's departure in 2024 and co-hosts the Get A Grip podcast, demonstrating a versatility that spans broadcasting platforms.

Helen Thomas, the controller of Radio 2, praised Scanlon's attributes in announcing the decision. She described the incoming host as incredibly warm and quick-witted, adding that Scanlon had proved extremely popular with the Radio 2 audience during the summer. Thomas emphasised the significance of the drivetime slot, explaining that it plays a crucial role in ensuring people get home and start their evenings in a positive and upbeat mood. She said she was delighted that Scanlon would be taking up the reins in November.

The controller also extended her thanks to all the presenters who had kept the drivetime show running since Cox moved to the breakfast slot. That gesture acknowledged the unusual period of transition the station has navigated, with a series of guest hosts maintaining continuity while executives considered a permanent appointment.

Scanlon's promotion represents the latest chapter in a broader reshuffling of Radio 2's daytime schedule. Cox's own move to breakfast followed the departure of Scott Mills, a change announced in April. The drivetime slot has historically been one of the most competitive and high-profile positions in UK radio, serving as a launchpad for presenters with broad appeal. Scanlon's appointment places her alongside some of the station's most recognisable voices and signals Radio 2's continued investment in personalities who can bridge television and radio audiences.

In a separate announcement, Radio 2 confirmed that Ben Earle will take over the station's weekly country music programme. He succeeds the longtime host Bob Harris, known to listeners 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. His retirement from the programme marked the end of an era for country music broadcasting on the BBC.

Earle brings substantial credentials to the role. He is one half of the British country group The Shires and has fronted a weekly show on Absolute Radio Country for the past five years. An image accompanying the announcement showed him interviewing rock legend Robert Plant in a radio studio bathed in pink light, a nod to his established presence in music broadcasting.

Thomas welcomed Earle's appointment with enthusiasm, citing his knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for country music. She noted that his years as a musician, combined with his radio presenting experience, make him the ideal person to pick up the reins from the legendary Bob Harris. In a warm tribute, she added that, like Harris, she hopes Earle will host the show for decades to come.

The two announcements together illustrate Radio 2's strategy of pairing established broadcasting figures with specialist expertise. Scanlon's appointment leans on her proven ability to connect with a mass audience across television, radio, and podcasts, while Earle's hiring reinforces the station's commitment to authoritative music programming. Both presenters will inherit loyal listenerships and the expectations that come with following popular predecessors.

For Scanlon, the drivetime role represents a significant elevation. The 16:00 to 19:00 window reaches listeners at a pivotal point in the day, when they are transitioning from work or school and seeking companionship, entertainment, and light relief. Her stated desire to welcome the chaos and tiny triumphs of daily life suggests she understands the emotional contract between a drivetime host and the audience. Whether she can replicate the popularity she enjoyed during her summer tryout will become clear when she takes over permanently in November.

Harris's departure from the country show, meanwhile, closes a remarkable chapter. His 27-year tenure made him one of the longest-serving voices in the genre on British radio, and his decision to step down following his cancer diagnosis added poignancy to the transition. Earle's task will be to honour that legacy while attracting a new generation of country fans, a genre that has enjoyed a resurgence in the UK and internationally in recent years.

Taken together, the changes signal a station in evolution. Radio 2 continues to refresh its lineup while relying on familiar names to anchor its most important slots. With Scanlon heading to drivetime and Earle taking charge of country programming, the station is betting on warmth, expertise, and broad appeal to keep listeners tuning in through the afternoons and beyond.