It was confirmed today Emma Barnett will take the mic of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour – after it was announced both Dame Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey would be departing the programme.
Last week Garvey confirmed she will hang up her mic at the end of the year, while Dame Jenni shared the news in July that her final show will be broadcast on October 1.
In a post to social media today, BBC Radio 5 Live host Barnett, 35, tweeted a picture of the Woman’s Hour mic and wrote: ‘New radio home from January.’
She added in a statement: ‘I can’t wait to get to know the many listeners of Woman’s Hour a lot, lot better…
‘I have a long love of Woman’s Hour and live radio and know that this is a very special and rare opportunity.’
Garvey, 56, announced last week she was leaving the show at the end of the year, after 13 years at the helm.
She said: ‘It’s been a real privilege to play a small part in the history of this very special radio programme.
‘One unforgettable day, I interviewed David Cameron in the morning, and Mary J Blige in the afternoon. There’s no other job like it.
‘But famous people are not the reason people engage with Woman’s Hour. It’s because the programme still talks about the subjects and challenges no one else goes near.
‘I’m very proud of our relationship with the audience and the trust they place in us.’
She will remain with Radio 4, however, and will host her own ‘high profile interview series’ on the station next year.
The news comes two months after Dame Jenni announced she was also leaving Woman’s Hour after presenting the show for 33 years.
The 70-year-old said: ‘I’ve spent nearly half my life with Woman’s Hour and it’s been a privilege and delight to inform, educate and entertain a loyal and growing audience of women and men.
‘Saying goodbye will be very hard to do, but it’s time to move on.’
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