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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Jersey stalwart Roger Bara will be back in the breakfast show hot seat from Monday 17 January, from 7-10am. Roger will be taking over from Chris Stone, who is moving to present a new afternoon show from 1.15-4pm.

Radio Jersey Managing Editor, Jon Gripton, said: "Roger Bara is one of Jersey's best-known broadcasters and I am delighted to have him back where he belongs presenting the Radio Jersey breakfast show. Roger Bara At Breakfast will be a lively, hard-hitting, interactive and entertaining start to the day."

Roger, who first presented the Breakfast programme on Radio Jersey in 1993, said: "It will be so good to once again be at the very heart of everything that happens in our island. I have sorely missed holding to account the island's decision makers. I'm also looking forward to both talking to and taking comments from our thousands of listeners throughout the parishes."

Roger comes from a colourful and musical background, having been Bonnie Tyler's keyboard player in the late-Seventies and featuring in many TV shows – including several appearances on Top Of The Pops.

He originally came to Jersey to be musical director at the famous Caesar's Palace at Greve de Lecq and at the Opera House – a position he held for 12 years. He also appeared in several episodes of Bergerac during this period.

Since joining Radio Jersey in 1989, Roger has presented some of the most memorable moments in recent island history. The 50th anniversary Liberation Day celebrations in 1995 saw Roger host two days of outside broadcasts. Two years later Roger led a team covering the Island Games, providing 12 hours a day of live action from venues throughout the island. He has also hosted every election night programme since the mid-Nineties.

He also commentated on Jersey cricket's greatest ever moment – beating USA in the World League Division 5 semi-finals, which guaranteed them promotion. He commentated on the now-famous final against Afghanistan at Grainville, which not only went round the world but became part of the award-winning film Out Of The Ashes.

More recent events hosted by Roger include the first Tour de Bretagne cycling race held outside of France, the hugely brilliant Jersey Rugby Club cup win at Twickenham on the same day as the annual Muratti football match, and his attendance at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in October – which he describes as a "unique theatrical experience."

In other changes starting on Monday 17 January, Radio Jersey presenters Carrie Cooper and Sara Palmer will host a 10am-1pm programme, which Sara describes as: "Like Loose Women but for a Jersey audience – lively guests and topical talk all with a smile. There's no better place to find out what is going on in Jersey and feeling involved in your community."

There will also be a new daily news programme Jersey At One with Chris Rayner, providing in-depth news and analysis of the day's events across the island at 1pm.

Chris Stone's new afternoon show will showcase Jersey life and be "the show that is proudest to say 'Made in Jersey' on the label." It will feature the island's environment, food, culture and great outdoors.

Christina Ghidoni will present a new show between 4-7pm which, on Thursdays, will incorporate the political talk show Talkback – which is moving from its Sunday slot. Christina said: "I'm looking forward to speaking to people from all walks of life in Jersey about what is important to them. I love to listen and I can't wait to hear what our listeners have to say."

On Friday evenings, Roger Bara and Richard Collinson will present a new sports news and chat show from 6-7pm. Richard said: "With Jersey Rugby Club doing so well, and with so much other sport in the island, this show will be a mix of news and discussion on the week's big stories, and a preview of the weekend action."

Sundays on Radio Jersey will also have a different sound as The Sunday Request Show takes the place of Talkback between 10am-12pm and the popular Sunday Classics show, with Tim Pollard, moves to a new Sunday lunchtime slot.

Radio Jersey Managing Editor, Jon Gripton, said: "We are always looking for ways to better serve our audience on the island and adapt to changing lifestyles. As well as bringing Roger back to Breakfast we think our listeners old and new will love the blend of local news, weather, travel, talk and great music that all our programmes provide. I am confident that the passion all our presenters share for life on the island in all its nuances will make every show a big hit with our listeners."

NL2