Trevor Nelson Set to Replace Scott Mills in BBC Radio 2 Schedule Shake-Up
BBC Radio 2 is undergoing a schedule shake-up that will see Trevor Nelson taking over Scott Mills’ weekday afternoon slot. The reshuffle comes in preparation for Mills to lead the Breakfast Show following Zoe Ball’s departure next month after six years at the helm. Nelson, currently hosting the Rhythm Nation programme from 10 pm to midnight, Monday through Thursday, will now entertain listeners in the earlier time slot of 2 pm to 4 pm starting in January. Excited about his new role, Nelson shared, “It’s going to be great being on daytime. It’s the ultimate privilege as a broadcaster to entertain the nation on the biggest station in the UK every day.”
With plans to infuse his programme with a touch of soul, Nelson will bring along his popular interactive feature, Five Seconds To Name, which he believes will resonate well with his audience. His illustrious career, which began at Kiss FM London in 1985, saw Nelson pioneer the groundbreaking show, The Rhythm Nation, on BBC Radio 1 from 1996 to 2013, hailed as the first national R&B broadcast. He has a storied history at the BBC, having launched the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2007 and introduced a dedicated soul and R&B segment on Radio 2 the following year, while juggling shows across Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
While taking on his new role at Radio 2, Nelson will continue with his Sunday show, Trevor Goes Old Skool, airing at 11 am on BBC 1Xtra. Head of BBC Radio 2, Helen Thomas, expressed her excitement about the move, stating, “I’m thrilled to be able to move Trevor into Radio 2’s weekday daytime schedule.” A BBC spokesperson added, “A true radio pioneer, Trevor is loved by his listeners, and I’m looking forward to hearing him bring a touch of hugely popular soul, funk and R&B to weekday afternoons.”
In other changes to the lineup, DJ Spoony will now host ‘The Good Groove’ show from Monday to Thursday in the late-night slot, moving from its previous Friday night slot. DJ Spoony expressed his thrill at the expanded role, calling it a “dream” to curate eight hours of dance and soul gems weekly. Starting his journey at BBC Radio 1 in 2000 with the Dreem Team, he has since joined Radio 2 in February 2019, hosting various specials for the station.
Additionally, Sophie Ellis-Bextor will extend her Kitchen Disco show to two hours on Friday nights, promising to energize listeners as they head into the weekend. The popular singer, known for her lockdown disco sessions with her family, shared her excitement, saying, “I can’t wait to bring my Kitchen Disco to Friday nights on Radio 2, when we will wave goodbye to the past week and bring on the weekend together in true disco style.”
Ellis-Bextor’s hit ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ saw a resurgence during lockdown, notably featured in the Bafta-nominated film ‘Saltburn’. These changes in the Radio 2 schedule aim to offer listeners a fresh lineup of presenters and shows, catering to a diverse audience with a mix of music genres and interactive features. Stay tuned for these updates as they roll out in the new year, promising engaging and entertaining content for BBC Radio 2 listeners across the UK.