Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Whiley with a dash of Mayo
Jo & Simon team up on Radio 2 as it axes organ recitals and big bands
JO Whiley is joining Simon Mayo to front a new BBC Radio 2 show, headlining a station shake-up. Their extended early evening programme come as the broadcaster axes three long-running shows.
Jo will be on-air with existing drivetime host Simon from 5pm to 8pm. It makes her the first female DJ on Radio 2’s weekday daytime line-up for 20 years. She follows Debbie who hosted the afternoon show until 1998.
Simon said: “Although we’ve known each other for over 20 years, we’ve never presented a show together.
“Given that Jo is quite brilliant, it’s high time we put that right.” Jo added of the show, starting on May 14: “It’s going to be great fun.” The Friday schedule will remain, with Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour from 7pm to 8pm.
But The Organist Entertains, Arts Show and Listen to the Band will end.
Nigel Ogden, on The Organist Enterthrower, tains since 1980, thanked “ever-loyal” fans. Frank Renton, host of brass music show Listen to the Band for 23 years, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure.”
Other additions include a live music programme with Sara Cox and a blues show fronted by Cerys Matthews.
Radio 2 boss Lewis Carnie said: “These changes herald another stage of the evolution of Radio 2.” The broadcaster also confirmed Simon and Jo will earn the same for the show.