Steve Wright to bid farewell to Steve Wright in the Afternoon

Steve to continue to present Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs and seasonal specials on Radio 2

Serious Jockin’ to be launched as a regular BBC Sounds and Radio 2 show

Scott Mills to present an all new afternoon show from 2-4pm

Sara Cox show extended to 4-7pm

Scott Mills and Chris Stark to leave BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 5 Live

BBC Radio 2 today announces a new afternoon schedule, to launch later this year.

Steve Wright today announced that he will step down from The Big Show, his Radio 2 programme broadcast each weekday (2-5pm) at the end of September.

Steve will continue to present Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs (9-11am) each weekend, and he’ll front a variety of Christmas and Easter specials for Radio 2. Steve will also present regular Serious Jockin’ shows exclusively for BBC Sounds, with additional broadcasts on Radio 2, kicking off later this year.

challenges! Radio 2 told me several months back that they wanted to do something different in the afternoons, and I thought – fair enough. Let’s give somebody else a go. Scott is a brilliant and versatile broadcaster, he is the man for the job! And Sara’s an amazing presenter, and a wondrous person.

“Later this year, fans of the afternoon show can go to BBC Sounds to hear a Serious Jockin’ series and I’m also looking forward to developing and creating some exciting new digital programmes and podcasts, which will feature elements of the afternoon show. I get so much creative freedom at the BBC, I have no complaints. They’ve always been fair and kind to me.

“We’re not done yet. Afternoons will finish in September, we’ll move onto new programmes and projects in October, and Love Songs will continue every Sunday morning.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “Steve’s a legendary radio broadcaster and producer, known for his passion and commitment in keeping millions of listeners entertained each weekday afternoon. I’m thrilled he’ll remain in Wogan House as a part of the Radio 2 family to present Sunday Love Songs, as well as seasonal specials and regular Serious Jockin’ specials for BBC Sounds and Radio 2.”

On Radio 2, Sara Cox’s current 5-7pm show will be extended by one hour, starting from 4pm, giving listeners three hours of brilliant music, and an extended All Request Friday each week.

Sara says: “It’s been an absolute honour following Steve Wright’s Big Show and I’d like to thank him for all his support and kindness since I started Teatime. I look forward to continuing my Sunday mornings with him and the iconic Love Songs.

“I’m beyond chuffed to have three whole hours to hang out and have a laugh with the listeners whilst playing some of the best tunes in the world. Whether you’re up to your eyes with work, enjoying the delights of the school run, taking the pooch for a pootle or rustling up something spectacular in the kitchen, I will be by your side with the usual lols and good times.

“I’m super excited for my old Radio 1 mucker Scott to officially become part of the Radio 2 daytime family - he’s a brilliant broadcaster and a good friend so I look forward to listening to his new show whilst doing my pre-Teatime warm up squats & burpees.”

Helen says: “I’m delighted that Sara will be keeping listeners company for an extra hour as a part of her already brilliant show.”

After an amazing 24 years, Scott Mills has decided to leave Radio 1. Scott first joined the station in 1998 as host of the Early Breakfast Show and went on to host many different shows across the network before launching the infamous Scott Mills Show in 2004 and The Official Chart Show in 2018. He has been an integral part of the Radio 1 family and has been behind some of the most memorable and biggest moments on the station, accumulating a hugely loyal fan base over the years.

Scott Mills says: “Time actually does fly when you’re having fun, and that’s certainly been the case over the past 24 years at my beloved Radio 1. The station I pretended to be on in my bedroom from the age of 6. The station I told my mum I wanted to work at, but never in a million years thought I would.

“There are too many people to thank from my Radio 1 journey. So to the immensely talented people I’ve worked with along the way, to our incredible listeners that have made us part of their everyday lives for so long and of course to Chris - not just my co host, but one of my best friends in the world, which of course he will be forever. THANK YOU.

“It’s also been an honour to start the weekend on BBC Radio 5 Live for the past three years. I’m so proud with what we have managed to achieve.

“I really cannot believe I’m going to be calling Radio 2 my new home! I’m beyond excited to be joining the team and working alongside my radio idols and friends at the legendary Wogan House.

"I would like to wish all the best to Steve, who is one of the finest broadcasters in the world and someone whom I look up to so much.

“Over the past few years the Radio 2 listeners have made me feel so welcome and I can’t wait to build new memories with them!”

The station will also be saying goodbye to Chris Stark who will be leaving Radio 1 to focus on presenting ‘That Peter Crouch Podcast’ and his podcast with Chef Tom Kerridge ‘The Pirate Ship’, as well as a new project which will be announced in due course. Chris officially joined the station in 2012 as Scott’s co-host and instantly became a key part of the show and its iconic features including ‘Innuendo Bingo’ and ‘Superfan Steve’. More recently in 2021, Chris and Scott hosted Radio 1’s LOLathon with a 24 -hour marathon show which featured some of the nation’s biggest music and entertainment stars, including Little Mix, Russell Brand and Harry Hill and raised over £500,000 for Comic Relief.

Chris Stark says: “To wake up every day over the last 10 years and get to work with one of my best friends on a show I love is a dream come true. We’ve created some incredible moments: 24 years at the Tap End, Innuendo Bingo, and I still smile every time someone asks me if Mila Kunis ever did go to a Watford game. Scott, I love you mate and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved.

“Radio 1 has sound-tracked the biggest ups and downs in my life, and I want to say thank you to the listeners that gave me this privilege and allowed a bang average lad from Watford to live his dream. You will never know what you have done for me and my family at times.

“I want to wish my colleagues at Radio 1 and 5 Live all the very best. Radio 1 will always be a special place to me, and hold the dearest memories. 5 Live is one of the best sports broadcasters in the world and to have been part of its Saturday line up has been a proud achievement.

“I’m excited for the next chapter. I’ve got some exciting plans which will be revealed soon. As one of my favourite artists would say… let’s push things forward.”

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of BBC Radio 1, says: “Scott is a broadcasting legend who has helped define Radio 1 over the past 24 years and is loved by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him. Chris has also been an integral part of the Radio 1 family who has brought so much entertainment and laughter to Radio 1 over the years. I’d like to thank them both for everything they have done for the station and wish them the very best in the future. Scott and Chris will go out with some very exciting shows in August starting with a week live from Newquay – more details to follow.”

Scott and Chris’s last show will be on Thursday 25 August. Tune into Radio 1 on Tuesday 5 July at 2pm to find out who the new hosts of the afternoon show will be.

Scott and Chris will also be leaving BBC Radio 5 Live, where they currently present the weekly 9-11am programme on Saturday mornings. They will present their last show on the network on Saturday 20th August.

Heidi Dawson, BBC Radio 5 Live Controller, says: “Scott and Chris have been a brilliant addition to our Saturday morning schedule and they will be missed. All of us at 5 Live would like to thank them for kicking our weekends off with joyful positivity and for always making us laugh. We wish them both all the very best.”

BBC Radio 5 Live will announce plans for their Saturday morning schedule in due course.

Steve Wright’s co-presenters on the weekday afternoon show, Janey Lee Grace and Tim Smith, will be leaving Radio 2.

Janey says: “I have loved every single minute of working with Steve, Tim and Bobbie in Wogan House, and I’d like to thank them for all the laughs over the years. It’s never felt like work! I’d also like to thank the behind the scenes production teams, who work tirelessly to help us all deliver the best show possible.”

Tim says: “ I'd like to thank Steve for giving me the opportunity in the first place of being involved in the afternoon show, it's been a genuine pleasure, a lot of fun and an honour for the past 23 years. Thanks also to Janey and Bobbie for being such great co-hosts and generous broadcasters. Thank you to Radio 2 for all the other opportunities they've given me during my time at the station and a huge thank you to all the producers, assistant producers and studio managers who've made what we do possible, couldn't have done it without them! "

Steve says: “I’d like to give huge thanks to Janey, Bobbie and Tim who have been such a dream team to work with over the years. It wouldn’t have been The Big Show without them.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “I’d like to thank Janey, Bobbie and Tim for all their wonderful contributions to The Big Show, and wish them the very best of luck for the future.”

Bobbie Pryor will remain on Radio 2 as the afternoon traffic presenter.

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to radio station, with a weekly audience of 14.6 million (RAJAR Q1, 2022), and won Station Of The Year at the Music Week 2021 awards. The network’s presenters include Michael Ball, Rob Beckett, Zoe Ball, Tony Blackburn, OJ Borg, Rev. Kate Bottley, Ken Bruce, Fearne Cotton, Sara Cox, Jamie Cullum, Gary Davies, Vanessa Feltz, Paul Gambaccini, Bob Harris, Cerys Matthews, Jason Mohammad, Trevor Nelson, Paul O’Grady, Dermot O’Leary, Elaine Paige, Mark Radcliffe, Rylan, Liza Tarbuck, Jeremy Vine, Johnnie Walker, Jo Whiley, Claudia Winkleman and Steve Wright.

Biography information:

Steve Wright joined Radio 1 in 1980 to host a Saturday evening show, moved on to Steve Wright in the Afternoon (1981–1993) and later fronted the Radio 1 Breakfast Show (1994–1995). After a stint in commercial radio in 1995, Steve joined Radio 2 in 1996 to host Steve Wright’s Saturday Show and Sunday Love Songs (9-11am). Steve recreated Steve Wright In The Afternoon each weekday (2-5pm) in 1999, filling his show with celebrity interviews, chat with co presenters Janey Lee Grace and Tim Smith, and Bobbie Pryor from 2015, as well as showbiz news, celebrity interviews and Factoids.

Scott Mills fulfilled a childhood dream by joining Radio 1 in 1998 and has become the longest serving daytime presenter on the network ever. He began fronting early breakfast show and has since hosted many shows around the schedule, arriving in his current home of the 1-3.30pm slot in 2021, which he hosts with co-presenter Chris Stark. Scott also co-hosts Saturday Mornings on BBC Radio 5 Live with Chris. During his time at Radio 1, Scott has won many awards including the ARIAs Best Music Entertainment Show in 2021 and nominated again in 2022. On TV Scott is currently on Channel 4’s Gogglebox with Eurovision’s Sam Ryder and who can forget his stint on Strictly Come Dancing, becoming an audience favourite for his incredible under the sea inspired routine! He has hosted BBC Eurovision coverage since 2011 for BBC Three and Four, and most recently for Radio 2 with Rylan.

Chris Stark has co-hosted with Scott Mills since 2012 on Radio 1 and since 2019 on BBC Radio 5 Live. He is also the co-host for That Peter Crouch Podcast and The Pirate Ship with Chef Tom Kerridge. He has presented BBC iPlayer's My World Cup Sticker Mission and the five-part hit BBC series The World’s Most Extreme Festivals. Chris has regularly appeared on BBC's Saturday Kitchen appearing as a guest on both VT and in studio, exploring subjects such as cuisine at football matches and Christmas menus at top London hotels. Chris devised and hosted Celeb Hunter: 2 Chairs, 1 Chat for Channel 4 where he went around the country with two fishing chairs, finding and meeting up with celebrities in his mobile studio. He also went on to be the resident team captain on E4's panel show Virtually Famous. Chris also released cookbook Eat, Sleep, Zoom, Reheat in 2020, aimed towards university students, to help them make their own meals during the pandemic.

Sara Cox joined BBC Radio 1 in 1999 to present the Saturday lunchtime show, moving on in 2000 to present the Radio 1 Breakfast Show until December 2003, when she joined Radio 2. Sara hosted a variety of shows, later launching Sounds of the 80s, which she presented until 2018. In 2019, Sara launched a new 5-7pm weekday show on BBC Radio 2. In 2017, Sara raised an incredible £1,242,624 for Comic Relief by taking part in a non-stop 24-hour Dance Challenge to 80s music, live from Wogan House. Sara is also a regular co-presenter of Radio 4’s Loose Ends. Sara will be hosting series five of her BBC Two show Between the Covers in the autumn, and her first novel Thrown recently spent four weeks on the Sunday Times Best Seller list.

Janey Lee Grace has worked in radio and TV for 25 years, in addition to her pop music career, singing with WHAM!, and her number 8 hit with Cola Boy,(1991). She is a TEDx speaker, Amazon No 1 Best-selling author, wellbeing expert, therapist and coach, and founder of The Sober Club, a platform for a non-judgemental approach to health and wellbeing without the booze.

Tim Smith began his career in the mid 1980's working for various BBC local radio stations. He joined Radio 1 in 1989 to present his own weekend show and also began hosting 'Popcall' on BBC Radio 5 Live and 'The UK Chart Show' on the BBC World Service. Throughout the 90's he worked extensively for BBC GLR in London and also presented his own shows on Magic and Jazz FM. He joined Radio 2 as co-host of 'Steve Wright in the Afternoon' in 1999.