‘Every party must come to an end’: Radio 2 fans are left in uproar as Craig Charles and Tony Blackburn’s shows are axed – as Michelle Visage joins channel in major BBC shake-up
Craig Charles’ Radio 2 show on a Saturday night has been axed as part of a major shake up of the BBC channel, sparking uproar from fans.
The star, 57, has presented his show Craig Charles’ House Party on Saturdays from 10pm to midnight since 2014.
In a series of other changes Drag Race star Michelle Visage will permanently join the station with a Friday slot from 7-9pm while long-serving presenter Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour will now going to air at a new time of 7-8pm on Sundays.
Bye: Craig Charles’ Radio 2 show on a Saturday night has been axed as part of a major shake up of the BBC channel, sparking uproar among fans
Craig said in the announcement from the BBC: ‘Every party must come to an end and although I’m packing up my Trunk of Funk on Radio 2, I’ve loved bringing the party to its funky listeners each Saturday night.’
Craig will still be heard on BBC Radio 6 Music each weekday (1-4pm) and on The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show (Saturday nights, 6-9pm).
Many fans were quick to share their upset on social media at some of the channel’s changes, taking to Twitter to share their thoughts.
Yay! In a series of other changes Drag Race star Michelle Visage will permanently join the station with a Friday slot from 7-9pm
Fuming: Many fans were quick to share their upset on social media at some of the Channel’s changes, taking to Twitter to share their thoughts
One posted: ‘I think moving the legend @tonyblackburn is a huge mistake!! And just be sure to leave Liza well alone!!!! That’s a warning!!’
Another added: ‘Sad to see Craig Charles go.. he is certainly more knowledgeable about music than the others-apart from Tony B.Yet more blunders at Radio 2!’
‘Well done BBC. You will have no listeners soon. Radio 2 used to be my lifeline but all changed when Simon Mayo and Chris Evans left and now,’ a third furious listener shared.
One wrote: ‘Oh dear oh dear. Dumping Tony to Sundays and moving a hit show like Gary Davies not to mention getting rid of Craig Charles is an awful move.’
Former Strictly contestant Michelle will kick off the change in proceedings with her own show from July 15.
Busy: Craig has presented his show Craig Charles’ House Party on Saturdays from 10pm to midnight since 2014
From August, Michelle, 53, will also return with series two of her BBC Sounds podcast, Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers. It will be broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturdays.
Michelle said: ‘I’m over the moon to be broadcasting my very own show to millions of listeners on Radio 2, where each Friday night I’ll be launching the listeners’ weekends in fabulous style with some of my all time favourite tracks that promise to get you in the best mood!
‘And I’m back with a new series of my Rule Breakers for BBC Sounds – I’M SO EXCITED! Bring it all on!’
As part of the huge shake up, there will also be new shows with Angela Griffin and DJ Spoony.
Star: Regular listeners to Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour need not worry as his show moves to Sunday nights (7pm-8pm) as he plays his favourite classic songs from across the decades
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Angela, DJ Spoony and Michelle to the Radio 2 family and looking forward to hearing their new weekly shows on Radio 2 from July.
‘As ever, listeners can hear the shows they love any day and any time of their choice via BBC Sounds.’
Regular listeners to Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour need not worry as his show moves to Sunday nights (7pm-8pm) as he plays his favourite classic songs from across the decades.
Change: Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton is also on the move from Friday night (10pm – midnight), pitching its tent in the party hours of Saturday night (10pm – midnight)
Elsewhere The Good Groove with DJ Spoony, which ran as a four part series on Radio 2 in January, will return as a weekly show every Friday night (9pm-11pm).
DJ Spoony said: ‘I’m so excited to be launching my very own show on Radio 2 on Friday nights in July.
Radio 2’s new schedule from July 15:
Friday
7pm-9pm – Michelle Visage
9pm-11pm – The Good Groove with DJ Spoony
11pm-midnight – The Rock Show with Johnnie Walker
Saturday
Midnight-1am – Documentaries/music genre
3am-4am – Michelle Visage’s Rule Breakers, produced by BBC Audio.
8pm-10pm – Sounds of the 80s with Gary Davies
10pm-midnight – Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton
Sunday
7pm-8pm – Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour
8pm-10pm – Sunday Night is Music Night
10pm-midnight – Radio 2 Unwinds with Angela Griffin
‘Whether you’re having a great night in or getting ready for a brilliant night out, join me for the best dance and party tracks I can find as we make Friday night, party night!’
The darker hours will claim The Rock Show with Johnnie Walker as it moves from Saturday night (8-9pm) to the more traditional late night rock show slot of Friday nights (11pm-midnight), from Friday 15th July.
Sounds of the 80s with Gary Davies will be breakdancing its way from its current Friday night slot (8pm-10pm) to the heart of the weekend on Saturday nights (8-10pm).
Sounds of the 90s with Fearne Cotton is also on the move from Friday night (10pm – midnight), pitching its tent in the party hours of Saturday night (10pm – midnight).
Meanwhile Angela Griffin will host Radio 2 Unwinds, a Sunday night show (10pm-midnight) to take listeners on a ‘mood-boosting musical journey across genres and decades, to help them relax and switch off’.
Angela said: ‘I’m over the moon to be given my very own BBC Radio 2 programme. I loved presenting my series last year as I was already a huge fan of the station, so I’m proud to be given my first proper weekly show.
‘I’ll be bringing two hours of chilled out tunes curated by myself and the listeners, to help unwind and relax before the week ahead.’
In the axed category along with Craig are Ana Matronic’s Dance Devotion (Sunday morning, midnight-2am) shows, as well as Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s show (Sunday 10pm-midnight).
Ana said: ‘It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the Radio 2 line-up for the last five years.
‘To be able to represent dance music culture, history, and community is an honor that I will continue to devote myself to. To all my listeners I wish the very best, and hope to see you on a dance floor very soon!’
Exciting: Meanwhile Angela Griffin will host Radio 2 Unwinds, a Sunday night show (10pm-midnight) to take listeners on a ‘mood-boosting musical journey’
Dr Rangan said: ‘I’ve immensely enjoyed presenting my Radio 2 show, and I hope I’ve helped guide listeners through a unique time in our lifetime.’
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 added: ‘Thank you so much to Ana, Craig and Dr Rangan. It has been a pleasure to have them bookend Saturday and Sunday evenings on Radio 2.’
The regular one hour documentaries/music genre slot will move to a new home of Friday into Saturday (midnight-1am).
All programmes can be heard at any time on BBC Sounds.
Shake up: Elsewhere The Good Groove with DJ Spoony, which ran as a four part series on Radio 2 in January, will return as a weekly show every Friday night (9pm-11pm)
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