Angela Scanlon has been named the new host of BBC Radio Two’s Drivetime programme, beginning in November. She will take over from Sara Cox, who recently transitioned to hosting the station’s Breakfast Show. The Drivetime slot, which airs weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., features a broad mix of music, talk, and listener interaction during a key time as audiences finish their workdays.

Scanlon, 42, an Irish broadcaster, previously stood in on the programme earlier this year, describing her initial experience as a brief but enjoyable "summer fling." Upon learning of her permanent appointment, she shared that the news came unexpectedly while shopping for a baby sling at a John Lewis store. The announcement led some acquaintances to mistakenly speculate that she might be revealing a pregnancy on air.

Expressing enthusiasm for the role, Scanlon emphasized her desire to build a strong connection with listeners. She said she looks forward to exploring the "warts and all" of people’s lives and hearing their personal stories and opinions. She described the Drivetime slot as a unique time of day, filled with “school runs,” people returning from work, and evening routines, creating a setting for a shared and intimate listening experience.

"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," Scanlon said, highlighting her aim to foster an engaging conversation among the diverse Radio Two audience. Her appointment marks a new chapter for the station’s afternoon programme, which continues to attract millions of listeners daily.