Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Danny Baker and Christian O'Connell will present new Saturday and Sunday morning programmes in a refreshed look to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 5 Live weekend schedule from September 2009.

The Danny Baker Show, Saturdays, 9.00-11.00am, from 5 September, will provide the perfect warm-up to a day of 5 Live sport; featuring listener stories, comedy banter, fans on the road, interactive games, special guests and examination of the big (but mostly the little) issues that occupy supporters' minds ahead of the weekend action.

Danny will bring his unique brand of comedy to Saturday mornings with the creative assistance of the UK's legion of travelling fans and armchair supporters.

He says: "To be hosting a Saturday morning sports show on one of the planet's greatest stations is a truly magnificent opportunity. There is currently a rainbow around my shoulder and my gait at the moment indicates to all, 'There is a man whose job is pure gravy'.

"I will strain every nerve to make this show exactly what Marconi had in mind when he legged it down to the patent office and I look forward tremendously to the mighty listener contributions reaching new heights of sublime absurdity and great truth.

"To quote the great Ritchie Valens: 'Let's go...'"

Christian O'Connell returns to 5 Live with a 15-part live topical news comedy programme on Sunday mornings from 6 September.

Radio 5 Live will invite independent production companies and in-house production areas to pitch for the opportunity to produce this show and the best ideas and formats will win out.

Christian says: "I'm really excited to be returning to 5 Live. I miss doing Fighting Talk and often find myself mumbling half-baked opinions to myself at the weekend and now I can find a home for these other than my park bench.

"5 Live is the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ at its very best. I'm looking to help build a show from scratch with the right team, from developing it over the next few months to getting it on air each Sunday. I'm going to create a show that, like Fighting Talk, is unique, smart, compelling and funny!"

Adrian Van Klaveren, Controller of Radio 5 Live, says: "I'm delighted that Danny and Christian are joining 5 Live's weekend line-up.

"On Saturdays, Danny's constant ability to amuse, entertain and surprise will make the perfect start to the weekend. And Christian's lively humour and wit will be an extra Sunday morning treat for 5 Live listeners."

There will also be a new look to 5 Live Sport from 17 August with an extended programme until 10.30pm, Monday to Thursday, followed by Richard Bacon's evening show.

The extra half-hour will give the opportunity for more reaction and analysis from the evening's sporting action including the Champions League, international, Premier and Football League matches, plus listeners' views on the night's events.

You can listen to Radio 5 Live on 909 AM, DAB digital radio, Digital TV and online at bbc.co.uk/5live.

Notes to Editors

Saturday schedule:

Weekend Breakfast, 6.00-9.00am
The Danny Baker Show, 9.00-11.00am
Fighting Talk, 11.00am-12.00noon
5 Live Sport, 12.00-6.00pm (subject to change) followed by 606.

Sunday Schedule:

Weekend Breakfast, 6.00-8.30am
Sportsweek, 8.30-9.30am
Gabby Logan, 9.30-11.00am
Christian O'Connell, 11.00am-12.00noon.

Weekday evening schedule:

Monday: 5 Live Sport with Arlo White, 7.00-10.30pm, Richard Bacon, 10.30pm-1.00am.
Tuesday: 5 Live Sport with Mark Pougatch, 7.00-10.30pm, Richard Bacon, 10.30pm-1.00am
Wednesday: 5 Live Sport with Mark Pougatch, 7.00-10.30pm, Richard Bacon, 10.30pm-1.00am
Thursday: 5 Live Sport with Eleanor Oldroyd, 7.00-10.30pm, Richard Bacon, 10.30pm-1.00am.
Friday: 5 Live Sport with Colin Murray, 7.00-10.00pm, Stephen Nolan, 10.00pm-1.00am.

DL