It’s been a very busy period on-air at BBC Radio 5 live with both the World Cup and Wimbledon. We are now putting the finishing touches to our plans for the Commonwealth Games, which starts on Wednesday 23 July with the opening ceremony. Then, the day after the closing ceremony there will be a poignant change of focus across Britain, as Monday 4 August is the centenary of the outbreak of World War One. More detail to follow below about our planned coverage. We also have the Open Golf Championship this week and the first ever BBC Sport Prom this weekend.
Presenter changes
It’s also been a very busy time for 5 live off-air. As you may have read, we will be losing three of our much loved presenters this autumn, and will have a new daytime schedule as a result of that. This presents a big challenge for us. Victoria Derbyshire, Shelagh Fogarty and Richard Bacon have the small matter of over 40 years presenting experience on 5 live between them.
All three, over the last few months, have chosen that this year is the right time to move on to new ventures in their careers. To re-iterate, no-one was ‘axed’ as some suggested when the announcement was made, it was their own choice, so I was surprised and disappointed by the way the changes were reported. All three presenters have been fantastic to work with, but most importantly, have produced great live radio that has really connected with our audiences.
I am not sure there is any one equal to Victoria at the incisive analytical interview. That is why she creates news stories week in, week out and has won multiple industry awards over the last few years. The good news for us is that she stays at the BBC presenting a new programme for the BBC News channel, so we will make sure the very best bits of journalism in her new show are also reflected on 5 live.
Shelagh makes live radio seem effortless, whether it be presenting an award-winning Breakfast show with Nicky Campbell or her own daytime programme. Some of the greatest outside broadcasts in 5 live’s history have been hosted by Shelagh – from Lourdes to the House of Lords, and from refugee camps in Jordan to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Richard is one of the most creative talents in UK media and I know he will now go on to have an even more successful TV career. From the ideas and the energy of his late night programme to the versatility and interviewing of big name guests in his afternoon show, he has been a wonderful part of 5 live’s recent history.
Their departures gave me plenty to think about. I feel passionately that we have a new daytime line-up that can build on everything we have achieved so far. Sarah Brett, from Radio Foyle, deserves her big break coming in to co-host Afternoon Edition (1-4pm) with Dan Walker. Peter Allen (three days) and Adrian Chiles (two days) are the hosts of 5 live Daily programme (10am-1pm). Anna Foster will be joined by Tony Livesey for 5 live Drive (4-7pm).
These new programmes will begin in early October, once we have delivered our two big priorities in September – the Scottish referendum and the Ryder Cup. In the next few weeks we will also announce a new programme, with a new format, for Sunday evenings, with the aim to also start in October. Emma Barnett, who I think is one of the most exciting new presenters in the country, will be the programme host. Emma has impressed us over the last year on her weekend show at LBC, her presenting on Radio 4, and her Weekend Breakfast stand in role on 5 live.
Commonwealth Games
Before all of the new schedule changes, we have another busy news and sport period. During the Commonwealth Games 5 live will be broadcasting from Glasgow for 18 hours each day, so whatever the sport and wherever the venue our world class commentators and guests (including Tanni Grey Thompson, Victoria Pendleton, Gavin Hastings and Barry McGuigan) will be there to bring you all of the key sporting moments as they happen.
Nicky Campbell will be hosting Commonwealth Games Breakfast each morning from different locations across Glasgow, including the front room of a family home in the heart of the East End, speaking to the community of Clydesiders about life in the area and the impact of the Games on the city. Other highlights will include Victoria Derbyshire's interview with Britain’s most successful Olympic athlete Sir Chris Hoy in front of a live audience on Monday 28th July and our daily 2pm joint programme with BBC Radio Scotland, presented by Eleanor Oldroyd and Fred MacAulay live from key locations across the city.
We will end each day with a live show from Glasgow's Merchant City where Colin Paterson will be in full swing with live bands, DJs and sport stars, and Nihal from Radio 1, will be behind the scenes at BBC Sport’s TV highlights programme with all the big guests. Throughout, we will also deliver the big news stories of the day alongside the feast of live sport. Plus you can go to the 5 live website and bbc.co.uk/sport every day for behind the scenes audio, video and photographs.
WW1
The morning after the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony the emphasis shifts starkly to those who gave their lives in World War 1, as the nation commemorates the centenary of the outbreak of war. Nicky Campbell will be live in Glasgow for 5 live Breakfast. At 10am we join a BBC Radio 4 special presented by James Naughtie, with Victoria Derbyshire on-air just before 11am including the wreath laying at 11.15. From 7pm we have a 5 live Sport special with Eleanor Oldroyd looking at the effect World War 1 had on sport in the UK, with stories of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice. At 11pm, the moment that war was declared, there is a national ‘Lights Out’ event, which we will report, as well as the service of prayer and penitence at Westminster Abbey.
The Open Golf Championship
The next big sporting event of the summer starts in Merseyside this week, with the 143rd Open Golf Championship. Tune in for Dan Walker’s 5 live Sport special on Tuesday 15th, Clare Balding’s preview programme from Hoylake on Wednesday 16th. Plus Nicky Campbell will be live from the course for 5 live Breakfast on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th. John Inverdale will have the live coverage from 9am each day.
Alongside the regular commentary team of Iain Carter, John Murray, Clare Balding, Conor McNamara, Vassos Alexander and Alison Mitchell we are welcoming some new names to the coverage; legendary coach David Leadbetter, who guided Nick Faldo and Ernie Els to Open wins and the most well-known name in women’s golf, and newly appointed Dame, Laura Davies.
This is one of two great golf events we’ll bring you over the next couple of months, with the Ryder Cup from Gleneagles in September wrapping up another summer of fantastic sport on 5 live.
BBC Sport Prom
On Sunday 20th July we’re joining forces with Radio 3 for the first ever BBC Sport Prom. Eleanor Oldroyd is our programme host and Gabby Logan comperes the event which will combine classical music favourites and memorable TV and radio themes. Sporting celebrities will select their favourite classical tracks as we re-live unforgettable sporting moments.
Mike Ingham
My final mention has to be for the peerless Mike Ingham who retired from commentary on Sunday night. The sound of radio football commentary will never be the same again. His voice evokes so many memories for all of us. Mike will be back on 5 live throughout next season presenting a number of specials. Good luck to John Murray, who starts today as our new football correspondent.
