Moira Stuart to become Radio 2 newsreader

Moira Stuart is to join BBC Radio 2 to become the main newsreader on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, which launches on Monday 11 January 2010.

Moira will exclusively read the news bulletins during the programme which will run from 7.00 to 9.30am, Monday to Friday.

Moira comments: "I'm delighted to be joining The Chris Evans Breakfast Show team at Radio 2. We'll certainly have some fun."

Chris can't wait for Moira to start: "It doesn't get any better than Moira Stuart. The voice, the authority, the style, the class, plus a side of her the majority of people have never seen before. She's funny, she's cheeky and dare I say it – ever such a little bit naughty. Always brilliant on the telly, I predict she's going to be even better on the radio. In fact, I know she will be."

Bob Shennan, Controller, Radio 2 and 6 Music, comments: "Moira is a much loved broadcaster and I am thrilled that she is joining Radio 2."

Moira started her BBC career as a production assistant in Radio's Talks and Documentaries department in the Seventies, before moving on to become a BBC Radio 4 announcer and a newsreader and programme presenter.

Moira moved to TV news in 1981 to become the UK's first female African-Caribbean newsreader, presenting many BBC News bulletins before leaving in 2007.

Moira has presented many programmes on radio and TV including Best Of Jazz on Radio 2, BBC One's The Holiday Programme and Have I Got News For You in 2007.

BBC One's successful documentary series Who Do You Think You Are? featured Moira in 2004 and she made a memorable appearance as herself in Extras in 2006.

Moira has won numerous awards including the Television and Radio Industries Club (TRIC) Best Newscaster award and the Women Of Achievement Television Personality award.

She was awarded an OBE in 2001.