BBC Radio 2 has announced a major presenter reshuffle for autumn 2026. The station named Angela Scanlon as the permanent host of the weekday Drivetime show and appointed singer-songwriter Ben Earle to front the Thursday evening Country Show.
Angela Scanlon will officially take over the Drivetime slot in November, broadcasting weekdays from 4pm to 7pm. Her new permanent role follows a successful summer stint filling in on the programme. Scanlon previously hosted Radio 2’s Sunday early breakfast show from 2018 to 2021 and Virgin Radio UK’s Weekend Breakfast in 2024. She expressed enthusiasm for her new position.
“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!” Scanlon said.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, praised Scanlon’s warm and quick-witted style. Thomas noted that Scanlon proved extremely popular with listeners during her summer appearances. Scanlon’s daily show will air between programmes hosted by Trevor Nelson and Jo Whiley.
The Radio 2 Country Show Handover
Alongside the Drivetime update, the BBC confirmed that Ben Earle will take over the Thursday evening Country Show, airing from 9pm to 10pm. Earle is best known as one half of The Shires, the UK’s bestselling country duo of all time. He succeeds legendary broadcaster Bob Harris, who stepped down earlier this year due to ill health after hosting the programme since 1999.
Earle previously made his Radio 2 presenting debut in 2019 by filling in for Harris. That effort earned him the CMA International Country Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2020. Over the last five years, he has also hosted a weekly Sunday morning show on Absolute Radio Country.
“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,” said Earle.
Additional Autumn Schedule Changes
The autumn 2026 schedule updates also feature comedian and presenter Ellie Taylor. Taylor stepped in to cover Emma Willis’s Saturday lunchtime show, running from 1pm to 3pm, beginning Saturday, September 26, while Willis presents Strictly Come Dancing. Taylor concurrently began hosting Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on Monday, September 28.
These lineup changes arrive as BBC Radio 2 maintains its position as the UK’s most listened-to radio station. The station draws a weekly audience of 12.4 million listeners, according to RAJAR Q2 2026 data.
