Chris Evans has signed up to present a Saturday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2, inking his contract on stage at the Edinburgh Radio Festival, in a move which will see him return to radio after a six year absence.
Evans’ new contract spans seven-months, signed during an interview with broadcaster and journalist, Matthew Bannister. Commenting on the move, Evans was in high spirits: “I can’t wait,” he exclaimed. “Radio 2’s as good as it gets, as big as it gets. It’s nice to have a big stage to play on.”
The interview between Evans and Bannister brought the two face to face in public for the first time since Evans’ departure from Radio 1, then under Bannister’s reign as controller.
“I did go off the rails and I was horrible to you, I admit that,” Evans told his former boss, before apologising for acting “disrespectfully” during his stint at the station.
However, the new move sees Evans eager to get back behind the microphone. “I feel calm. I feel great – better than ever. I feel awesome,” he said. While Lesley Douglas, controller of Radio 2 welcomed Evans’ return, stating: “Chris is one of the UK’s most innovative broadcasters and I’m delighted he is joining Radio 2’s roster of first-class presenters to host this weekend show.”
Evans’ afternoon show will air from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday afternoons, replacing Dermot O’Leary who will now present a new music show at a later time.
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