BBC Radio 2 welcomes autumn 2026 with a season of new presenters

BBC Radio 2 is heading into the autumn with a number of exciting presenter signings, including new Drivetime and Country Show hosts.

Angela Scanlon will be taking over as host of Drivetime (weekdays, 4-7pm), kicking off her new show in November.

Angela says: "Taking over Radio 2 Drivetime is properly exciting. Millions of people, all having completely different days, piling into the same conversation for a few hours - what a strange and lovely thing!

"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. 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.

"And to be wedged between Trevor Nelson and Jo Whiley - two absolute radio legends - is quite the sandwich. I cannot wait to get stuck in. We’re going to have a lot of fun."

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “I couldn’t be happier to welcome Angela back to the Radio 2 family on a full-time basis. She’s incredibly warm and quick witted and proved to be extremely popular with the Radio 2 audience this summer. She’s already well known to our listeners through her extensive work over many years across TV and Radio and I always knew she’d make a triumphant return here! Drivetime is such an important show in terms of ensuring people get home and start their evenings in a positive and upbeat mood, and I’m delighted Angela will be taking up the reins in November. 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.”

Angela Scanlon is well known as one of the most distinctive and versatile broadcasters working in Britain and Ireland today, with a successful career spanning radio, major entertainment shows, live television, and podcasting. So far in 2026 alone she has co-hosted BBC's Eurovision coverage alongside Rylan, fronted BBC Two's The Apprentice: Unfinished Business, co-hosted her chart topping weekly podcast Get A Grip, and regularly presented ITV's This Morning.

Angela has built an impressive career in radio. She made her BBC Radio 2 debut on the Sunday early breakfast show from 2018 to 2021, while stepping in for some of the station's biggest names, including Steve Wright in the Afternoon. In 2024 she succeeded Graham Norton in Virgin Radio UK's coveted Weekend Breakfast slot, and this summer, Angela also hosted Drivetime shows on BBC Radio 2.

Her first major documentary, Oi Ginger!, aired on RTÉ in 2014 to critical acclaim. Since then she has fronted the cult classic Robot Wars, presented The One Show, and hosted four series of BBC Two's Your Home Made Perfect. Her other television work includes the BAFTAs, The Voice and T in the Park.

In Ireland, Angela hosted her own Saturday night entertainment show on RTÉ One, “Angela Scanlon's Ask Me Anything” with guests including Chris O'Dowd, Minnie Driver, Rob Delaney and Martin Compston. In 2023 she swapped the studio for the dancefloor on Strictly Come Dancing.

Alongside her television and radio work, Angela co-hosts the podcast Get A Grip, which showcases her candour, unfiltered wit and unique take on modern life.

Ben Earle is the new presenter of The Radio 2 Country Show each Thursday evening, (9-10pm). Ben follows in the footsteps of Bob Harris, who stepped down earlier this year due to ill health. Bob had presented the show since 1999.

Ben Earle is a singer/songwriter and one half of The Shires, the UK’s bestselling UK Country duo of all time. Ben made his radio presenting debut on BBC Radio 2 in 2019, filling in for Bob Harris on the Country Show. That short run of shows led to Ben receiving the CMA International Country Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2020.

Alongside writing and recording new music for The Shires and other artists in the UK and Nashville, Ben has also presented a weekly Sunday morning show on Absolute Radio Country for the last five years, achieving record listening figures in 2026.

Ben says: “It really feels like I’m coming home to the Radio 2 Country Show. I’m truly honoured to have been asked to present such a prestigious show in such an exciting time for Country music, especially in the UK. I still pinch myself that the genre has become so huge that we now have US acts coming over and headlining stadiums here. I’m so excited to chat to those artists on the show and hear their stories, and also discover some homegrown talent too. What I’m most excited for though is what made me fall in love with Country - the songs. Searching out the best Country songs and playing them every week is going to be so much fun.”

Helen Thomas says: “I’m thrilled that Ben is taking over the Radio 2 Country Show. 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. Like Bob, I hope Ben hosts the show for decades to come. I’d like to thank Darius Rucker for doing such a brilliant job hosting the show over the last few months and I look forward to hearing Darius’ handpicked highlights from the Country Music Association Awards next month.”

As previously announced, Ellie Taylor will be presenting the Emma Willis Saturday lunchtime show (1-3pm) this Autumn from last Saturday 26th September while Emma presents Strictly Come Dancing. Ellie makes her debut as the presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two from Monday 28th September.

Ellie said: “I cannot wait to be back at Radio 2 and am thrilled to be looking after Emma’s Saturday show while she waltzes off to Strictly. I always have so much fun with the Radio 2 listeners, who can expect plenty of great tunes, guests and surprises from me, but most importantly a lot of fun.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “I’m so pleased Ellie will be joining us throughout the autumn and winter – it is always such a joy to hear her on Radio 2. Her warmth and laughter will be a great addition to our superstar Saturday line up, whilst Emma sashays over to the Strictly ballroom.”

Viewers and listeners can catch up with Radio 2 in the Park, which took place in Stirling in September, with Chaka Khan and Simple Minds as headliners. Enjoy full sets from all the performers again on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 12.4 million (RAJAR Q2, 2026). The Radio 2 Breakfast Show is the most listened to Breakfast show in the UK with 6.4 million listeners (RAJAR Q2, 2026). Vernon Kay (weekdays, 9.30am – noon) is the most listened to radio show in the UK with 6.8 million listeners (RAJAR Q2, 2026).

The network’s presenters include Richie Anderson, Michael Ball, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Revd. Kate Bottley, Rylan, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Davies, Paul Gambaccini, Mark Goodier, Angela Griffin, Vernon Kay, Shaun Keaveny, Cerys Matthews, Paddy McGuinness, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, Romesh Ranganathan, DJ Spoony, Ellie Taylor, Jeremy Vine, Michelle Visage, Jo Whiley, Emma Willis and Owain Wyn Evans.

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