Sara Cox named as new BBC Radio 2 drivetime presenter

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Sara Cox will replace Simon Mayo and Jo Whiley on the BBC Radio 2 Drivetime show.

The 43-year-old broadcaster is "beyond chuffed" to have landed the prestigious hosting slot on the UK radio station, which airs weekdays between 5pm to 7pm, after the 60-year-old DJ announced last week that he was leaving to focus on his novel writing career.

She said: "I've been proud to be part of the Radio 2 family for a few years now.

"And the opportunity to present such a big show as Drivetime - playing fantastic music and hopefully making people smile as they cook tea or head home after a day's graft - is the icing on what is already a very brilliant cake.

I'm beyond chuffed to be given this role and to directly quote my mum on hearing the good news, it is indeed fandabbyruddydozy (sic)"

Jo will now host her own show on the station between 7pm and 9pm starting in January.

This move comes after Zoe Ball was announced to replace Chris Evans on the Breakfast Show.

Jo's new Evening Session series which will see her host live music on the airwaves, meaning BBC bosses are looking for a new Drivetime presenter.

Simon admitted he surprised himself with his decision to quit his programme, but he decided he would be too busy with his writing and overseeing the TV and film adaptations of some of his books to be on air every afternoon.

He said: "I have, much to my surprise, decided to leave Radio 2 in December, I was expecting to hang on until I was 150. But circumstances change and next year was getting very busy and in 2019 the book that I mentioned which is 'The Itch' series is being made into a television series in Perth in Australia.

"And 'Mad Blood Stirring' which is a book I wrote this year, that's an ongoing film project and intend to work on both projects.

"And I have a new two book deal too, so my two publishers will be expecting a book very soon ... I'm very sad to be leaving the show, I'm very sad to be leaving you Jo. I'm very sad to be leaving Wogan House, I'm very sad to be leaving the whole production team, but excited at the same time, does that make sense to be sad and excited?"