Angela Scanlon lands a huge new role as she replaces Sara Cox as presenter of Radio 2's Drivetime show

Angela Scanlon is taking over as host of Radio 2's Drivetime show, replacing Sara Cox.

The news was announced on Monday, ahead of Angela's first show in the weekdays 4-7pm slot in November. 

Signalling the start of the Radio 2 shake-up, Sara left the Drivetime show after seven years in June to take over the Breakfast Show from sacked star Scott Mills.

Angela has been a guest presenter on Radio 2 for eight years, making her debut on the station on the Sunday early breakfast show from 2018 to 2021.

In 2024 she succeeded Graham Norton in Virgin Radio UK's coveted Weekend Breakfast slot. This summer, Angela also hosted Drivetime shows on BBC Radio 2, alongside Joel Dommett, admitting it felt like 'a live audition' for the main job.

This year she has made numerous BBC TV appearances, co-hosting the Eurovision coverage alongside Rylan Clark and fronting BBC Two's The Apprentice: Unfinished Business. She also co-hosts her chart topping weekly podcast Get A Grip, and has regular presenter slots on ITV's This Morning.

Sara made the announcement live on her Breakfast Show on Monday, telling Angela 'welcome to the Radio 2 daytime family girl!'

'Oh my god, what a family to join, as dysfunctional as me own,' joked Angela, adding that she had been keeping the secret 'for a few weeks and I'm not great at keeping secrets so I did reveal to a few close people then subsequently gagged them.'   

She told Sara she 'squealed' when she got the phone call telling her she had landed the job, whilst shopping in John Lewis.  'I'm slightly terrified because it's a real job, I've never had one of them.' 

She added that guest hosting the slot in the summer 'felt like a summer fling, and it was all fun but we only got to know the best of each other and I want warts and all. I want to know the listeners' dirty little secrets, we're going steady now or at least that's the plan.'

Sara asked if the summer shows 'felt like a live audition,' admitting that she was impressed with what she heard from her replacement.

Seasoned presenter Sara then offered some words of wisdom, pointing out that mum of two Angela will miss out on 'helping with the kids' homework and witching hour.'

'I'll just be home for a little sweaty snuggle,' agreed Angela, who is mum to Ruby, eight, and Marnie, four. 

Angela added in a statement that taking over the afternoon show '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!'

'Every weekday, I'll be in your ears, your cars and your kitchens - on the school run, on the way home, or standing at the hob wondering what on earth to feed a small but hungry mob.'

'I want all of it: the stories, the opinions, the chaos, the tiny triumphs and the things you probably shouldn't admit on national radio.'

'And to be wedged between Trevor Nelson and Jo Whiley - two absolute radio legends - is quite the sandwich. I cannot wait to get stuck in. We're going to have a lot of fun.'

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 added: 'I couldn't be happier to welcome Angela back to the Radio 2 family on a full-time basis. She's incredibly warm and quick witted and proved to be extremely popular with the Radio 2 audience this summer.'

'She's already well known to our listeners through her extensive work over many years across TV and Radio and I always knew she'd make a triumphant return here.'

'Drivetime is such an important show in terms of ensuring people get home and start their evenings in a positive and upbeat mood, and I'm delighted Angela will be taking up the reins in November. I'd like to extend my thanks to all the hosts who have presented in this slot since our Sara moved on up to Breakfast.'

In further Radio 2 news on Monday, Ben Earle was announced as the new presenter of The Radio 2 Country Show each Thursday evening, (9-10pm). 

Ben follows in the footsteps of Bob Harris, who stepped down earlier this year due to ill health. Bob had presented the show since 1999.

Ben Earle is a singer/songwriter and one half of The Shires, the UK's bestselling UK Country duo of all time. Ben made his radio presenting debut on BBC Radio 2 in 2019, filling in for Bob Harris on the Country Show. That short run of shows led to Ben receiving the CMA International Country Broadcaster of the Year Award in 2020.

Alongside writing and recording new music for The Shires and other artists in the UK and Nashville, Ben has also presented a weekly Sunday morning show on Absolute Radio Country for the last five years, achieving record listening figures in 2026.

Ben says: '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.'

'I still pinch myself that the genre has become so huge that we now have US acts coming over and headlining stadiums here.' 

'I'm so excited to chat to those artists on the show and hear their stories, and also discover some homegrown talent too. What I'm most excited for though is what made me fall in love with Country - the songs. Searching out the best Country songs and playing them every week is going to be so much fun.'

As previously announced, Ellie Taylor will be presenting the Emma Willis Saturday lunchtime show (1-3pm) this Autumn from last Saturday September 26 while Emma presents Strictly Come Dancing. 

Ellie makes her debut as the presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two from Monday September 28.