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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Brogan-Leigh Hurst

BBC Radio 2 announces huge schedule shake-up as Craig Charles axed and Tony Blackburn bumped

BBC Radio 2 has announced some huge changes to the schedule with favourites including Craig Charles and Tony Blackburn losing their usual slots.

The broadcaster's new look line up, which sees Drag Race star Michelle Visage permanently joining the station, will air across Fridays to Sundays, starting Friday, July 15.

Michelle will kick off the change in proceedings with her own show in a primetime Friday night spot.

Fans can tune in from 7-9pm, where she will be bringing in the weekend in style with a brilliant mix of feel-good tunes.

From August, Michelle will also return with series two of her BBC Sounds podcast, Michelle Visage's Rule Breakers. It will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturdays.

Speaking about her new career move, Michelle said: "I'm over the moon to be broadcasting my very own show to millions of listeners on Radio 2, where each Friday night I'll be launching the listeners' weekends in fabulous style with some of my all time favourite tracks that promise to get you in the best mood! And I'm back with a new series of my Rule Breakers for BBC Sounds – I'M SO EXCITED! Bring it all on!"

While long-serving presenter Tony Blackburn's Golden Hour is now going to air at a new time of 7-8pm on Sundays.

Sadly for fans, Craig Charles' House Party - which currently airs Saturday, 10pm–midnight - will come to an end in the shake-up.

Speaking after the announcement, Charles said: "Every party must come to an end and although I'm packing up my Trunk of Funk on Radio 2, I've loved bringing the party to its funky listeners each Saturday night."

Craig can still be heard on BBC Radio 6 Music each weekday, from 1-4pm, and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show - which airs Saturday nights, 6-9pm.

Dr Rangan Chatterjee's show - which is on Sundays 10pm-midnight - is also being axed - alongside Ana Matronic's Dance Devotion show.

Tony Blackburn is one of the station's longest-serving presenters (WireImage)
Fearne Cotton's Sounds of the 90s show has been moved to Friday nights (2022 Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of her final show, Ana: "It's been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the Radio 2 line-up for the last five years. To be able to represent dance music culture, history, and community is an honor that I will continue to devote myself to. To all my listeners I wish the very best, and hope to see you on a dance floor very soon!"

Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton is also on the move from Friday night (10pm – midnight), pitching its tent in the party hours of Saturday night (10pm – midnight).

Sounds of the 80s with Gary Davies will be breakdancing its way from its current Friday night slot (8pm-10pm) to the heart of the weekend on Saturday nights (8-10pm).

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 added: "Thank you so much to Ana, Craig and Dr Rangan. It has been a pleasure to have them bookend Saturday and Sunday evenings on Radio 2."

New amended schedule from Friday 15th July:

Friday

7pm-9pm Michelle Visage, produced by Mostest Productions.

9pm-11pm The Good Groove with DJ Spoony, produced by BBC Audio.

11pm-midnight The Rock Show with Johnnie Walker, produced by Listen.

Saturday

midnight – 1am – documentaries/music genre

3am-4am Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers, produced by BBC Audio.

8pm-10pm Sounds of the 80s with Gary Davies, produced by Listen.

10pm-midnight Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton, produced by Somethin’ Else.

Sunday

7pm-8pm Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour, produced by 7Digital.

8pm-10pm Sunday Night is Music Night, produced by BBC Audio.

10pm-midnight Radio 2 Unwinds with Angela Griffin, produced by Somethin’ Else.

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