Local BBC radio stations across Yorkshire have announced changes to their schedules commencing this autumn.
The renowned comedian, Toby Foster, will take the reins of a new afternoon programme covering the entire Yorkshire region, while Ellie Colton will step into the role of host for a fresh weekday Breakfast show on BBC Radio Sheffield.
Last year, the BBC unveiled plans to centralise local information within the online experience, with expanded news coverage for 43 regions across England. This initiative entails a surge in original journalism and in-depth investigations, bolstered by the addition of 130 more journalists, including a dedicated team of 70 investigative journalists nationwide.
As anticipated, alterations to the afternoon, evening, and weekend schedules have been implemented for all 39 stations, encompassing BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, and BBC Radio York.
While most of the voices in the new schedules will be familiar to listeners, some will transition into new shows or areas.
Among the fresh voices is Ellie Colton, who is spearheading a new Breakfast show on BBC Radio Sheffield. Hailing from South Yorkshire, Ellie has admirably helmed BBC Upload for the station over the past three years, where she takes great pride in spotlighting local creative talent spanning from poetry to playwriting and podcasting.
Ellie says: “I’m so proud to be from South Yorkshire and I can’t wait to take on the job of waking up the area every morning. I’m excited to get started and chat to the people of South Yorkshire & North Derbyshire and find out what’s happening in their lives.”
Esteemed comedian and popular presenter, Toby Foster, who joined the station in 2002, is set to host the shared afternoon shows airing across the region five days a week.
Toby says: “I’m really excited to broadcast to the best region in the country. I love being on the radio, having a laugh and hearing great stories. I can’t wait to do that across Yorkshire.”
Katrina Bunker, Senior Head of Production for BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, says: “I’m incredibly proud of what we do and pleased to share the new line-up for Yorkshire. We’ll have fantastic authentic local voices and characters on-air who are known and loved by listeners. They’ll continue our great traditions of championing local communities and hosting the local conversations.
“Our new shared programmes will be big shows that bring our county together – celebrating our shared Yorkshire identity and exploring our many great differences.”
Outlined below is a summary of how the schedules will unfold on BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, and BBC Radio York.
On BBC Radio Sheffield, Ellie Colton takes the helm of the weekday Breakfast Show from 6am-10am (commencing later this Autumn), and Paulette Edwards will oversee daytimes from 10am-2pm.
On BBC Radio Leeds, Rima Ahmed remains the host of the weekday Breakfast Show from 6am-10am, and Gayle Lofthouse will preside over daytimes from 10am-2pm.
On BBC Radio York, Georgey Spanswick will continue as the presenter of the weekday Breakfast Show from 6am-10am. Joanita Musisi will oversee daytimes from 10am-2pm, Monday to Thursday, with the new voice, Bek Homer, taking the reins on Fridays.
Weekday afternoons from 2-6pm will feature Toby Foster on BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, and BBC Radio York.
Evenings from 7pm onwards will be as follows (broadcasting across the region):
Monday: Conversation and music for South Asian communities with Arzu Dutta
Tuesday: Sport or Bek Homer (coastal communities)
Wednesday: Sport or John Kane (Northern Soul)
Thursday & Saturday: BBC Upload – Ellie Colton
Friday: Conversation and music for African & Caribbean communities with Sile Sibanda
Thursday nights from 8-10pm will spotlight BBC Music Introducing on BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Radio Sheffield, helmed by Emily Pilbeam and Christian Carlisle.
Weekends will unfold as follows:
Saturday and Sunday from 6am-10am: On BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, and BBC Radio York – Kat Cowan
Saturday from 10am-2pm: On BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, and BBC Radio York – Nick Ahad
Sunday from 10am-2pm: On BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, and BBC Radio York – Becky Measures.
