BBC Radio 2 announce huge schedule shakeup as Craig Charles turned down and Tony Blackburn disappointed

Craig Charles’s show has been discontinued, Tony Blackburn now airs on Sunday nights and Michelle Visage joins the team as part of a shakeup of the BBC Radio 2 schedule

BBC Radio 2 has announced some massive schedule changes, with favourites, including Craig Charles and Tony Blackburn, losing their usual slots.

The broadcaster’s new look, in which Drag Race star Michelle Visage joins the station permanently, will air from Friday, July 15, through Sunday.

Michelle will kick off the change of procedure with her own show in a primetime Friday night spot.

Fans can tune in from 7-9pm, where she’s ushering in the weekend in style with a brilliant mix of feel-good tunes.

As of August, Michelle will also return with series two of her BBC Sounds podcast, Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers. It will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturday.

Speaking about her new career move, Michelle said: “I’m over the moon to be broadcasting my own show to millions of listeners on Radio 2, where every Friday night I’ll be kicking off the listeners weekends in fantastic style with some of my all-time favorite songs that promise you in the best And I’m back with another series of my Rule Breakers for BBC Sounds – I’M SO EXCITED! Bring it on!”

While long-serving presenter Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour now airs at a new time of 7-8pm on Sundays.

Unfortunately for fans, Craig Charles’ House Party – which currently airs Saturdays from 10pm to midnight – will end in the shakeup.

Charles said after the announcement: “Every party must come to an end and although I am packing my Trunk of Funk on Radio 2, I have enjoyed bringing the party to the funky listeners every Saturday night.”

Craig can still be heard every weekday on BBC Radio 6 Music, from 1pm-4pm, and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show – which airs Saturday nights, 6pm-9pm.

Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s show – which is 10pm – midnight on Sundays – will also be discontinued – in addition to Ana Matronic’s Dance Devotion show.

Speaking before her last show, Ana said: “It has been a pleasure and privilege to be part of the Radio 2 lineup for the past five years. To be able to represent dance culture, history and community is an honor I will I wish all my listeners all the best and hope to see you on a dance floor soon!”

Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton is also on the move from Friday night (10pm – midnight) and tents into the party hours of Saturday night (10pm – midnight).

Sounds of the 80s with Gary Davies will work its way from today’s Friday night (8pm-10pm) to the heart of the weekend Saturday night (8pm-10pm).

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, added: “Thank you so much to Ana, Craig and Dr Rangan. It was a pleasure to have them booked on Radio 2 Saturday and Sunday nights.”

New adjusted schedule from Friday 15^e July:

Friday

7-9pm Michelle Visage, produced by Mostest Productions.

9pm-11am The Good Groove with DJ Spoony, produced by BBC Audio.

11:00 p.m. The Rock Show with Johnnie Walker, produced by Listen.

Saturday

midnight – 1 am – documentaries/music genre

3am-4am Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers, produced by BBC Audio.

8-10pm Sounds of the 80s with Gary Davies, produced by Listen.

22:00-midnight Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton, produced by Somethin’ Else.

Sunday

19:00-20:00 Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour, produced by 7Digital.

Sunday evening 8-10pm is Music Night, produced by BBC Audio.

22:00-midnight Radio 2 Relax with Angela Griffin, produced by Somethin’ Else.

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