Move over, chaps! Looks like mná na hÉireann are taking over top UK radio slots
MOVE over, Ryan Tubridy and Graham Norton – Irish broadcasters Angela Scanlon and Nuala McGovern have just landed plum new gigs on the British airwaves.
Ms Scanlon, 40, will present the 7am-10am slot on Saturdays and Sundays on Virgin Radio UK, as part of a shake-up of the station’s weekend schedule which sees comedians Leigh Francis and Tom Allen also securing new shows.
Regarding her new show, the Meath native wrote on social media: ‘I know how many of you have dreamt about waking up to my husky dulcet tones, well dreams come true gang!!
‘I’ll be getting up with you every weekend on Virgin Radio & I am inappropriately excited. Stick the kettle on!’
Former RTÉ star Tubridy, 50, also has a show on the station, a weekday morning programme which simulcasts in Ireland.
Cork comedian Norton, 61, announced his departure from his weekend programme on the station in February, with Ms Scanlon filling in as presenter in the slot since his departure.
She presents a duo of BBC home renovation shows, Your Home Made Perfect and Your Garden Made Perfect.
She also hosted her own Saturday-night chat show, Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything, for three seasons on RTÉ.
Last year, she appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing and was eliminated just before the quarter-finals.
And in another announcement yesterday, it was revealed Dubliner Ms McGovern is set to join the presenting line-up on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour following Emma Barnett’s departure.
The BBC announced that the Irish broadcaster, a familiar voice to fans of the show as she covered for Ms Barnett during the latter’s maternity leave, will present the popular programme from Monday to Wednesday each week from May 13.
Ms McGovern, from Drumcondra, is a graduate of UCD.
In her 20-year career, she has worked across the BBC and is one of the leading presenters on its World Service. She has reported for the broadcaster from more than 30 countries and at many big events including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of King Charles. Ms McGovern said being picked as the next Woman’s Hour host ‘fills me with joy’.
She added: ‘It is a real privilege to present this programme. I’m looking forward to working with the superb Woman’s Hour team on the rigorous journalism expected on women’s issues but also making time for escapism and fun. I’m especially looking forward to getting back to the Woman’s Hour listeners – I have missed them.’
‘It is a real privilege’