POP Idol Michelle McManus will join BBC Scotland as a TV and radio host as part of a scheduling shake-up, it has been announced.
On Thursday, the corporation said McManus – who won the second series of the X Factor precursor series Pop Idol in 2003 – would present a weekly, half-hour long entertainment show on the BBC Scotland channel.
Called “The Entertainment Mix”, the BBC said the show would “serve up big name interviews, features and the latest arts and culture news” and would begin at 8pm on Thursday, October 24.
BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show, which is broadcast on weekday afternoons, will also be replaced by a McManus-led show (except on Fridays).
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The BBC said that, from Monday October 21, the new “Afternoons with Michelle McManus” show will air from 1.30pm till 4.00pm from Monday to Thursday.
The corporation said McManus would “treat audiences to a combination of feel-good music and celebrity interviews as well as bringing them all the best cultural events from right across the country”.
Heather Kane-Darling, commissioning editor at BBC Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to have Michelle present our weekly offering of The Entertainment Mix which will celebrate Scotland’s talented performers and creators and provide audiences with everything they need to know about the big cultural moments across Scotland.
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“And on air across the week on BBC Radio Scotland, expect Michelle’s warm, down-to-earth style to keep the audience company in the afternoon along with great music choices which will brighten their day.”
In August, BBC Scotland got Ofcom approval to cut its TV news output in primetime slots by 50%.
The corporation said at the time that it would be cutting news back and instead focusing on “shaping the new offer for audiences”.
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