Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Huey Morgan will be crossing the radio tracks to host a new weekly show on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 from 2 April 2011.

From 12midnight-3am every Saturday morning, Huey will play the same eclectic mix of music from the past 60 years that has already made him a favourite with 6 Music listeners. From hip hop to be bop, punk to soul, rock to country, Huey will cast his record net wide with an aim to satisfy the most discerning music fan.

Huey says: "Radio 2 is the most listened to radio station in the land and it's a huge honour to be given three hours a week to kick back and play some of the hottest tunes, both new and old, with a disregard of genre.

"Growing up in NYC, I could never have imagined that the prestigious and world famous Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ would give me six hours of airtime a week to play my favourite records and allow me chat to some of the people who have inspired me along the way."

Huey has spent the last few months covering Lauren Laverne's maternity leave by presenting the 10am-1pm weekday show on digital radio station 6 Music as well as hosting his own Sunday show from 1-4pm on the network, which he'll continue to front in 2011.

During 2010, his guests have ranged from Jazzie B, MC Rakim, actor/rapper Idris Elba and Squeeze, to Mick Jagger, Earth Wind and Fire, Northern Irish three-piece Two Door Cinema Club and renowned music photographer Adrian Boot.

Bob Shennan, Controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: "Huey has earned his presenting stripes on 6 Music and his appointment clearly demonstrates Radio 2's fierce commitment to producing a network full of the most diverse music programming available today on UK radio."

Born in New York City, but now based in the UK, Huey is the lead vocalist and guitarist with rock hip-hop trio Fun Lovin' Criminals. As well as producing six studio albums with his band members as part of FLC and touring extensively, including a Glastonbury set in 2008, Huey has recently been making a name for himself as a TV and Radio personality.

His 6 Music show was recognised for a Bronze Award in the 2009 Sony Radio Academy Awards and he has also stood in for Dermot O'Leary and Radcliffe And Maconie on Radio 2. On TV, Huey covered for presenter Tim Lovejoy to host Something for The Weekend during this summer's World Cup and co-hosts Pet Nation with Liza Tarbuck on Sky One, as well as being a regular guest panellist on Five's The Wright Stuff.

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: "I'm sure with his musical credentials and love of music from all over the world, rap, soul, punk and more, Huey will become a firm favourite with Radio 2 listeners and fit nicely into this time of day."

Between now and April, Bob Harris will host the show.

Radio 2 listeners will receive a sneak preview of Huey's show on 29 December between 8-10pm as a part of the 6 On 2 series, which brings some of the highlights of digital radio station 6 Music to the wider Radio 2 audience.

Dave Pearce will bring his Club Classics to Radio 2 on 27 December at 8pm and Jarvis Cocker will delve into his much travelled record box on 28 December at 8pm.

Next year will see Radio 2's commitment to specialist music continue to flourish. Earlier this year, Johnnie "Pirate" Walker won Gold in the Best Regularly Scheduled Music Programme at the New York Festival, a show which encapsulated the pirate radio spirit of Sixties.

In February 2011, Paul Jones's Rhythm And Blues show will be awarded the International prize in The Blues Foundation Keep The Blues Alive annual awards ceremony in Memphis - a prize rightly deserved in recognition of Paul's commitment to this much-loved show.

The Radio 2 Folk Awards will return bigger and better than ever on 7 February 2011, presented by the host of Radio 2's folk show, Mike Harding, and nominees including Bellowhead, Laura Marling and Chris Wood.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 Publicity