Northern Ireland

Exciting new line-up revealed for BBC Radio Ulster

Irish News columnist Lynette Fay has joined BBC Radio Ulster’s daytime schedule and will be presenting a new show from Monday to Thursday from 3-4pm
Irish News columnist Lynette Fay has joined BBC Radio Ulster’s daytime schedule and will be presenting a new show from Monday to Thursday from 3-4pm Irish News columnist Lynette Fay has joined BBC Radio Ulster’s daytime schedule and will be presenting a new show from Monday to Thursday from 3-4pm

BBC Radio Ulster has released details of a new schedule line-up in what is believed to be its biggest shake-up in recent years.

From later this month, listeners will not only notice some new voices on air but also, that some familiar ones have moved slot.

The new line-up consists of a number of new week day and weekend programmes.

Irish News columnist Lynette Fay; journalist, author and broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald and comedian Shane Todd are among an exciting new line-up of presenters who are set to host new shows on the station across the week, covering everything from sport and current affairs to rural matters, the arts, music, comedy and entertainment.

Lynette Fay will join the station’s daytime schedule, Monday to Thursday from 3-4pm with The Vinny Hurrell Show taking the Friday slot.

Lynette will also present Folk Club on Friday nights as previously announced.

Joining BBC Radio Ulster on Sundays will be Newry-born Dearbhail McDonald, who will present Sunday With Dearbhail from 11am to 1pm, bringing the best of in-depth current affairs, interviews, discussion and analysis, including an essential guide to the Sunday papers.

The shake-up also means that Evening Extra is moving to the new extended drive time slot of 4-6pm from Mondays to Fridays.

Inside Politics will now be on Fridays at the new time of 5.30pm, with a new range of early evening programmes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday including Sportsound Extra Time, Farming Matters, and The Ticket.

The Saturday line-up includes Gerry Kelly, The Culture Cafe and Jazz World while Sundays include Brian D’Arcy, Kerry McLean and Classical Connections.

Eddie Doyle, BBC Northern Ireland Senior Head of Content Production, said: "Following on from our recent announcement around specialist music on weekday evenings, and the appointment of Stephen Clements in the mid-morning weekday slot, these continue to be exciting times for radio here in Northern Ireland.

"Our commitment remains to broaden appeal with our listeners in mind, while we introduce and develop new and upcoming talent on the airwaves," he said.