Clara Amfo will present Trevor Nelson’s weekday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 from 2pm to 4pm, next week.

From Monday 6th July, DJ Spoony will take over the same slot until further notice. Melvin Odoom will temporarily host The Good Groove on Radio 2, which airs Mondays from 10pm to midnight, covering for DJ Spoony for the time being.

Richie Anderson, who covered Trevor’s show today, expressed support for him on air, saying his team send all their love and that they “have his back”.

No further details have been given about Trevor Nelson’s absence or when he will return to his regular presenting duties.

Clara Amfo photo credit: Ejatu Shaw.

BBC Radio Leeds is mourning the sudden death of long-serving journalist and producer Andrew Evans, who died at the age of 57 while on holiday in France on 21st June.

Andrew, known on air as Producer Andy, had worked at the BBC for three decades and was a familiar voice to listeners of the breakfast show presented by Rima Ahmed.

Throughout his career, Andrew produced programmes, mentored staff and presenters, and served as the station’s news editor, covering significant regional stories.

He also contributed internationally, spending time in Nigeria with the BBC World Service Trust outreach project.

Rima announced Andrew’s death during a pre-recorded segment on Wednesday’s breakfast show, describing the loss as deeply felt by the team.

She spoke of his devotion to his family, saying he was “utterly mad” about his sons Tom and Ollie and referred to his wife Emma with great affection on air.

Simon Monk, executive editor, described Andrew as “a natural in every way and a thoroughly, thoroughly great person with it”.

He added that Andrew was more than just a colleague; he was a friend and mentor to many at the station. Andrew was also known for his interests outside radio, including cycling, brewing, and supporting West Bromwich Albion.

 

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The Go Radio Business Show with Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey has been named Business-2-Business Podcast of the Year at the Scottish Podcast Awards 2026.

Hosted by business leaders Tom and Willie, the programme has become known for its conversations and advice drawn from Scotland’s business community.

The award highlights the show’s role in supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses, as well as providing a platform for those shaping the Scottish economy.

The Scottish Podcast Awards took place at Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket, recognising achievements from across the country’s podcasting sector.

Rochelle Clemente, Managing Director of Go Radio and Go Studios, described the win as a significant moment for the team behind the show, noting that the platform informs and connects the business community.

Tom and Willie said the award belongs to the Scottish business owners and leaders who share their experiences on the show each week, and they emphasised the ambition and resilience found within Scotland’s business sector.

Go Radio says it continues to invest in broadcast standard podcasting through Go Studios, supporting a range of brands and creators to reach audiences across audio, video and digital platforms.

Heart listener Joy Haythorne from Botley, Hampshire, became the winner of Heart’s Make Me A Millionaire on Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden this morning.

Joy, a 77-year-old retired hairdresser and grandmother, secured the £1,000,000 prize during the live final.

Ten finalists from across the UK took part in the final, each entering ‘The Vault’ to select a sealed safety deposit box.

Only one box contained the £1,000,000 prize, while the other finalists each received £50,000. The boxes were independently verified and kept secure throughout the competition.

Joy, who recently received news that she is in remission from cancer, plans to donate a significant portion of her winnings to Macmillan, Cancer Research, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

She also intends to support her family and friends who supported her during her illness. Speaking on air, Joy said she could not believe she had become a millionaire and highlighted the importance of supporting the charities that helped her and her late husband.

Jamie Theakston said: “What a morning! Amanda and I were absolutely delighted to celebrate with Joy as she became the UK’s newest millionaire.”

Amanda Holden added: “What an extraordinary morning for our winner Joy. To hear she’s been told she’s in remission and now has also won Heart’s Make Me A Millionaire, is such a special moment. She’s a truly deserving winner, and stories like hers are exactly what make this game so unforgettable.”

 

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Trevor Nelson has stepped away from his weekday BBC Radio 2 programme while undergoing further medical tests.

The presenter confirmed on Instagram that he would be taking “a little break” from work commitments after being advised to have additional checks following a routine appointment.

Trevor said listeners may have noticed he had not presented his daily Radio 2 slot this week. He added that he would take further time off while concentrating on his recovery.

He said: “As I’m sure you can appreciate with health issues it’s important to deal with facts and not speculate.”

Trevor told followers, radio listeners and those attending his Soul Nation events that he was focused on getting back to full health and returning to work.

He said he wanted to be “back behind the mic and the decks” once he was ready.

No return date for his BBC Radio 2 programme or other DJ commitments has been confirmed.

Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, BBC says: “Everyone at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 1Xtra wishes Trevor a very speedy recovery and we all look forward to him returning to his shows whenever he is ready.”

Vernon has paid tribute to Trevor on his show just after 10am.

“Vernon said: “Everyone at BBC Radio 2, including the mid-morning show are sending Trevor all the very very best wishes, we absolutely love him to bits. He’s a stalwart broadcaster within the UK – I played golf with him a couple of weeks ago and he was in a buoyant mood.

“And I know that this challenge is something that Trevor is gonna face head on. So Trevor we are sending you all our love and hopefully see you on the Links very soon my friend.”

Comedian and Strictly winner, Chris McCausland, is joining Absolute Radio to host a new weekend morning Show.

The Chris McCausland Show will air every Sunday from 8am until 11am, with fellow stand up and musical comedian Jon Long joining as co-host.

Speaking on The Dave Berry Breakfast Show, Chris said he was looking forward to the early start, saying: “I’m looking forward to it, to be there as part of people’s Sunday morning, filling their ears with drivel while they’re driving round and trying to avoid doing anything productive. That’s a win for me.”

Chris also spoke about working alongside Jon, who has supported him on tour for several years. He said: “We’re used to talking nonsense to each other for some long car journeys and in dressing rooms.”

Paul Sylvester, Absolute Radio Content Director, said: “Chris is a phenomenal talent, naturally funny, hugely relatable and completely original. His personality, humour and love of great music make him a perfect fit for Absolute Radio.”

The appointment follows Chris McCausland’s Strictly Come Dancing victory last year. Alongside his stand-up career, he has become a regular face and voice across TV and radio.

The Chris McCausland Show launches on Sunday 5th July 8am – 11am on Absolute Radio.

 

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People Fixing The World will be recorded before an audience in Nairobi during a BBC World Service festival.

The BBC Future of Journalism Festival will bring journalists, media leaders and emerging voices together at the University of Nairobi on Thursday 9 July and Friday 10 July.

The free two-day event will include panel discussions, workshops, networking sessions and a live podcast recording, with students, aspiring journalists and others interested in storytelling invited to attend.

Topics will include investigative reporting, solutions journalism, artificial intelligence, podcasting and social media.

BBC World Service presenter Myra Anubi will host the festival. The event will end with a live recording of People Fixing The World, giving the audience an insight into how the radio programme and podcast is produced.

BBC Regional Director for Africa Juliet Njeri said the event would offer people a chance to hear from industry figures and explore how storytelling can have “real-world impact”.

Myra, who grew up and studied in Kenya, said returning for the festival was deeply meaningful.

She said: “I hope I can inspire other students to recognise that their dreams are within reach.”

Myra added that she hoped the event would introduce students to solutions journalism, which looks at responses and innovations alongside the challenges facing communities.

The festival will take place at The Chandaria Centre for Performing Arts at the University of Nairobi.

The BBC’s radio stations will play a central role in a wide-ranging summer of music programming across the corporation.

BBC Music has announced a schedule of live performances, festival broadcasts, documentaries and special programmes running throughout the summer, with coverage across radio, television and online platforms.

Radio 1, Radio 2, 1Xtra, 6 Music and Asian Network will all feature in major events around the UK. Planned coverage includes Radio 1 at Reading & Leeds, Radio 1 in Ibiza and Malta, 1Xtra Salutes Carnival, Asian Network Certified, Boomtown, Parklife and 6 Music at Green Man.

Radio 2 in the Park will return from Stirling in September, with Chaka Khan and Simple Minds among the headline acts already announced.

BBC Radio 2 will also continue its support for folk music through the return of 21st Century Folk. The series will feature new songs from artists including Martin Simpson, Katherine Priddy, Eddi Reader and John Douglas, Passenger and Megson.

BBC Introducing is expanding its talent development work with new partnerships in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The initiative will continue supporting emerging artists through festival appearances and international opportunities.

Among the wider BBC Music plans are performances from artists including Charli xcx and Sam Smith, alongside documentaries exploring figures such as Madonna, David Bowie, Wham! and The Smiths.

BBC Radio 6 Music’s Artist in Residence strand will feature Foo Fighters, Honey Dijon, James Blake, beabadoobee and Robyn.

As Glastonbury takes a fallow year, audiences will be able to revisit archive performances through a collection of 40 Glastonbury Gems on BBC Two and a dedicated iPlayer stream featuring sets from artists including Amy Winehouse, Elton John, Dolly Parton and Stormzy.

Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music, said: “The BBC is the home of music and this summer we are bringing audiences together for an unmissable line up of exciting live performances, special programming, new documentaries and front row access to festivals and events across the country.”

Commercial audio campaigns delivered 75% higher profit than campaigns without audio, according to new global research.

The study of 1,262 campaigns across 17 years also found campaigns using audio achieved 81% higher trust, 81% greater price insensitivity and 19% stronger customer acquisition.

Across 14 measures, the Effie x System1 global Databank analysis recorded an average uplift of 22% for campaigns including audio.

Professor Mark Ritson presented the findings during a Cannes Lions session titled The Secret to Profit and Trust: Audio, organised by industry bodies from the UK, Ireland, Australia and the United States.

Radiocentre, Radiocentre Ireland, Commercial Radio and Audio, and the Radio Advertising Bureau in the US worked together on the presentation, marking the first time the four bodies have jointly made the international case for audio advertising.

The research also found that audio roughly doubles the profit generated by emotionally driven campaigns. Its effect increases further when campaigns use distinctive brand assets and run consistently over time.

Mark said: “The case for audio’s effectiveness is unequivocal; in every market we’ve studied globally: audio is the catalyst that makes your whole campaign work harder.”

Matt Payton, Chief Executive Officer of Radiocentre, said the analysis added to existing evidence that audio can increase advertising impact, business outcomes and brand trust.

The study began with analysis of Australian Effie data before being tested against a broader databank covering campaigns from the UK, Ireland, Europe and the US.

Philip Bewers has reached 50 years of volunteering at York Hospital Radio.

Philip joined the charity in June 1976 and spent his first evening collecting requests at the former Naburn psychiatric and Fulford maternity hospitals.

He became part of the committee a year later and has remained involved through its different forms ever since. Philip has served as Public Relations Officer, Treasurer, Chairman and Secretary, and is now a trustee with responsibility for finance.

Alongside his work behind the scenes, Philip has presented thousands of programmes, including request shows, music output, outside broadcasts and sports coverage.

A lifelong football supporter, he has also commentated on York City matches at Wembley twice, covering an FA Trophy final and a promotion play-off.

Philip played a key part in York Hospital Radio’s move to DAB, helping guide the organisation through its licence application. The station now broadcasts around the clock online, through its app and smart speakers, as well as on DAB in the York area.

Philip said: “Fifty years with York Hospital Radio has been a real privilege, giving me countless memories, including many years in sports broadcasting. It’s about connection, community and making someone’s day a little brighter.”

Chair Ian Clennan said Philip had played a vital role in the charity’s finances and its broadcasting output over five decades.