Paddy McGuinness has been checking out his new MediaCity digs ahead of becoming the latest presenter in the ongoing Bolton takeover of Radio 2 on Sunday.
McGuinness takes over Michael Ball’s 11am-1pm slot this weekend, while Ball switches to the 9-11am Love Songs slot previously held by the late Steve Wright.
Mc Guinness said: “I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been about joining the amazing BBC Radio 2! I’ve been having a lot of fun with the production team, thinking up great new features, working out what music we’ll play and, of course, how we’ll involve the brilliant listeners every week.”
McGuinness was also keen to talk up the channel’s impressive Bolton roster: “I’m so proud to be joining my fellow Boltonians – Sara Cox, Mark Radcliffe and Vernon Kay – on the station, but the Radio 2 presenting family have all been so welcoming, they are truly the loveliest bunch of people,” he said. “What’s more, I’ll be presenting my show just down the road in the studios at MediaCity in Salford. Can it get any better than this?”
Ball wished his replacement well as he prepared to set his alarm a little earlier this Sunday: “I just want to wish Good Luck to Paddy,” he said. “For nearly ten years now, I’ve absolutely loved doing that show, but I couldn’t be happier handing it over to Paddy. I know he’ll take good care of it and also bring his own special gifts to the programme.”
McGuinness will this weekend be introducing listeners this weekend to his show features: The Weekest Link, the quiz that tests whether you’ve been paying attention to all the weird and wonderful things going on in the worlds of entertainment and popular culture across the previous seven days; Paddy’s Sunday Dinner where he puts together a delectable three course meal of starter, main and dessert, of the very best ways to spend a Sunday, based on his top pick of what the listeners tell him they are getting are up to today, and The Secret Listener’s Club where, if you’re listening along to the show whilst out and about, he’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re hiding at soft play as the children run riot, sheltering from the rain watching them play sport, or tuning in whilst on a train journey, get in touch and let him know.
During his second show (on Sunday, June 9) he’ll be doing his first Radio 2 outside broadcast live from the team hotel at Soccer Aid which is taking place at Stamford Bridge football stadium. McGuinness will be hoping to impress between the sticks again this year as he plays for the England team as their goalkeeper, so he’ll be sharing stories of his time in camp with his team mates. To get in touch with the show send an email to paddym@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 08000 288 291 during the show.
