Changes for Radio 2?

As some of my readers will know, I am a member of a number of media related websites such as the R2OK! forums and Digital Spy. There have been rumours in the last few hours about some possible changes going on at BBC Radio 2.

I was first alerted to possible changes after reading the Radio Times last month, and there was an interview with Emma Forbes. She was publicising the new ‘Going Out with Alan Carr‘ programme which she is involved in and mentioned that from 31st May she would be hosting her own Sunday programme, 5-7am on BBC Radio 2.

This is interesting news, and her new show should be good. She does seem to take a leading role in Alan Carr’s new programme. Is it Emma Forbes running the desk?

It is very likely that this is true: I wouldn’t expect her to lie about something like this, however we have two weeks until the rumoured change and still we have not had official confirmation, via Radio Today or the BBC Press Office.

Another Radio 2 presenter has mentioned some changes coming to BBC Radio 2 in the next couple of weeks. Just before 8 this morning, Mo Dutta announced that May 30th would be his last Saturday show. (You can listen again to this announcement via the BBC iPlayer. Scroll through to 03 hours, 54 minutes, 30 seconds).

The rumours have prompted a lot of discussion on various websites about media. One member on the R2OK! forums suggested that Mo is completely leaving BBC Radio 2:

Mo has announced that his last show on the station will be Saturday 30th May.

Full discussion available at R2OK!

However, there was no mention of him leaving altogether on his show today, so I think he’s just moving to a different slot. The question is… when?

A possible answer comes from a thread about Pete Mitchell on Digital Spy:

Pete Mitchell has been axed. Mo Dutta is replacing him.

New Radio 2 overnight weekend schedule from 30 May:

Saturday

3.00 – 6.00am Mo Dutta

6.00 – 8.00am Zoe Ball

Sunday

2.00 – 5.00am Mo Dutta

5.00 – 7.00am Emma Forbes

View full discussion

It is believeable, and would fit in with Emma Forbes’ claim of her getting 5-7am Sundays… however, where has Pete gone to? Some posts on Digital Spy suggest that Pete Mitchell is leaving Radio 2!

I would expect that at some point within the next week there will be some information available on the BBC Press Office, I don’t think it is something that would happen without notice to the Radio 2 listeners.

We will just have to wait and see…