Getting the big radio shows but it more of them running the show
Edith Bowman in Glasgow where she hosts the Scottish BAFTAS ceremony tonight Last week, BBC Radio 2 bosses announced Sara Cox will take over the Drivetime show from Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley. Mayo, who has presented the teatime show for eight years, said he would be leaving after just a few months co-presenting with Whiley.
She will remain with
the station but move to a 7pm-9pm slot from January.
Cox had previously been tipped to take over on Chris Evans’s Breakfast Show, but lost out to Zoë Ball. Lewis Carnie, head of Radio 2, said: “Sara is hugely popular and I have every confidence she’ll make the new Drivetime show her own.”
The moves come after the station was criticised for having a “male, pale and stale” line-up. invaded the stage to claim Edith had ruined his life.
Before hosting tonight’s Scottish BAFTAS in Glasgow, Edith said: “I had no idea what was going on as I was hosting a London Film Festival event so wasn’t able to make the ceremony in Leeds.
“I was gutted as we’re a tiny wee podcast made by myself and my friend and we were up against big BBC channels. It was a huge thing just to be nominated for two awards.
“On the way back, I saw on Twitter that we’d won a bronze and after I got home I found out we’d got gold in the other category.
“I went straight to the fridge, popped a bottle of Prosecco and had a drink with my mother-in-law – in my pyjamas.” Edith says she woke up the following morning to word of Sloth’s disgruntlment. She said: “I’ve known Charlie since my Radio 1 days and I messaged him saying I hoped he was OK. “Charlie texted and apologised and I was fine about it. I know you can have a few drinks when you’re passionate about something and it can get away from you. “We’ve all messed up and made mistakes. But I was getting messages from all over and, to be honest, it was great publicity for the podcast. It was better than me going on 10 talk shows.”
Edith will be at the helm of the BAFTA ceremony tonight when the best talent in Scottish film, television and games are recognised.
Thriller Calibre leads the nominations list with five, followed by BBC detective drama Shetland with three.
Alan Cumming, currently starring in hit US crime series Instinct, will pick up one of three outstanding contribution awards. For Edith, who has two kids, Rudy and Spike, with Editors frontman husband Tom Smith, it’s one of the biggest nights of her year.
“I feel really honoured to be asked,” said Edith. “Each year I secretly think about what weekend it might be and try to keep it free if I’m lucky enough to be asked.
“I first did it in 2008, the year I had Rudy, and I did it when I was very pregnant with Spike. When Rory Bremner came up to present an award he brought a chair so I could
New Drivetime host, Sara Cox
sit down.
“It’s great when you have people like Brian Cox, who’s a bit of a legend for me, David Hayman, James Mcavoy, Ashley Jensen and Sam Heughan show up.
“Every year it feels like more people understand what an important night it is.”
Karen Gillan, Douglas Henshall, Jack Lowden, Joe Mcfadden and Rupert Everett are a few of the big names attending tonight.
Edith says hit Glasgow-shot drama The Cry and the new Robert the Bruce film, Outlaw King, showcase the high quality work being made in Scotland.
But she is giving her full backing to calls for a film studio north of the border.
“It will be incredible and add so much more opportunity to what is already there.
“There is a lot already happening here and we’re making fantastic stuff. Having a studio will double that at least.
“Not living in Scotland any more, I really love watching things that have a connection to home.” Alison O’donnell and Douglas Henshall in Shetland
The BAFTA Scotland Awards take place tonight at the Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow where the nominees include:
FILM ACTOR TONY CURRAN
JACK LOWDEN
MARTIN MCCANN
TELEVISION ACTOR DOUGLAS HENSHALL
CHRIS REILLY
JONATHAN WATSON
FILM ACTRESS ELLA HUNT