MediaCity HQ’d BBC Radio 5 Live has appointed Steffan Powell as the new Sunday co-host for Weekend Breakfast with Jeanette Kwakye.
Powell joins 5 Live with a wealth of broadcasting experience, having spent eight years as a presenter and senior reporter at BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, where he became a unique, trusted and well-loved voice for millions of listeners. His career spans factual entertainment, current affairs, news, politics and sport – across both radio and television – with a real talent for making any topic relatable and engaging. He is already a familiar voice to 5 Live audiences through his regular work as a stand-in presenter, and now steps into his new role as an official member of the 5 Live team.
Powell will also co-present the Friday edition of 5 Live Breakfast alongside Rima Ahmed, who joins the 5 Live team from BBC Radio Leeds.
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Powell said: “It is such a joy to be officially joining 5 Live! Listening to the station as a student was the spark that got me hooked on radio, and encouraged me to train as a journalist and broadcaster. To be able to say that I now present Breakfast is a real pinch-me moment. I’ve loved standing in across the network over the last few years and getting to know the programme teams – the station already feels like home.
“Rima and Jeanette are both brilliant broadcasters, who I’m lucky to have worked with plenty already, I can’t wait to spend my mornings with them. I’m excited for all the conversations, stories, and the laughs we’ll share with the listeners.”
Ahmed has also joined the 5 Live team in the run up to the summer World Cup to co- host Friday Breakfast alongside Steffan. She is currently presenter of BBC Radio Leeds Breakfast and the award-winning BBC Sounds Strange But True Crime podcast, while also occasionally stepping in to helm BBC Radio 4’s Saturday PM programme. She has already earned praise for her engaging style, sharp interviewing, and commitment to making the news accessible for all.
She added: “I’m thrilled to be joining 5 Live for this upcoming run of Friday Breakfast. It’s a station that puts the listeners at the heart of everything it does, and to be a part of that ethos as a broadcaster is an exciting prospect. Working alongside Steffan is a real joy, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be tackling the big subjects with first thing on a Friday morning! I can’t wait to get stuck in and share the very best stories from across the world with our 5 Live listeners.”
Listen to Steffan and Rima on 5 Live Breakfast, Fridays 6am – 9am and Steffan and Jeanette on Sunday Weekend Breakfast, 7am – 10am.
