Claire Summers to host the new BBC Radio Wales breakfast news programme

• BBC Radio Wales’ Breakfast with Claire Summers kicks-off at 6am on Monday 13 May
• Claire will present Monday to Thursday, with Oliver Hides presenting on Friday and Saturday
• Gareth Lewis will present a new-look weekday drive time news programme between 5-6.30pm

Claire Summers will host the programme - with the earlier start time of 6am - bringing listeners the latest news, current affairs and sport until 8.30am. Oliver Hides will host the programme on Friday and Saturday. He will also present the station’s current affairs programme, Eye on Wales.

A journalist with the BBC since 1999, Claire has most recently presented news and sport on BBC Wales Today.

Claire says: “The opportunity to present Radio Wales’s new breakfast programme is a real privilege and a challenge I just couldn’t refuse. Fortunately, I’m a morning person so that early morning alarm shouldn’t be a problem - I just can’t wait to join the team and bring the latest news, views and conversation to breakfast tables across the nation.”

Colin Paterson, Editor BBC Radio Wales says: “Claire is a fantastic presenter whose warmth and personality resonates with audiences across the country. A first class journalist, we’re delighted she’s joined the Radio Wales team.”

The announcement comes after two of Wales’ leading commercial radio stations recently announced an end to their local breakfast shows.

Colin continues: “While it’s disappointing that listeners will have less choice in the morning, it sets us a new creative challenge. Our job now is to ensure this is a new programme for the whole of Wales - smart, engaging and rooted in the lives and passions of people in every part of the nation. We’re up for that.”

After the daily news round-up, Jason Mohammad (Monday to Wednesday) and Dot Davies (Thursday and Friday) will take to the airwaves at the earlier time of 8.30am with Wynne Evans broadcasting over lunch between 11am and 2pm. Eleri Siôn will be the listeners’ companion during the afternoon. Gareth Lewis presents the new-look drivetime news programme at 5pm.

The earlier start for the day’s news and current affairs means Mal Pope’s early-morning programme will come to an end.

Colin Paterson adds: “Mal has a long association with Radio Wales, most recently as presenter of the early morning programme and I’m grateful to him for his dedication to his show and the listeners. He’ll be back on the airwaves soon including a broadcast of his one man theatre show later this year.”

GE