Lucy Owen announced as permanent replacement for Carol Vorderman on BBC Radio Wales

Lucy Owen from Wales Today has been appointed as permanent host of Carol Vorderman’s old Saturday lunchtime show on BBC Radio Wales after covering it for the last few months.

There’s also a few other schedule changes taking place over the next couple of weeks.

Bronwen Lewis focuses on her love of country music from Wales and the world in a brand new show every Wednesday evening. Listeners can also hear her on Sunday afternoons from April, as her show moves to a new three-hour slot from 12-3pm.

Kiri Pritchard McLean fronts a new showcase of Welsh talent from stand-up to sitcoms on Thursdays at 6.30pm. Kiri’s Comedy Club will launch in April with Kiri hosting and curating each laugh out loud show.

“I’m so thrilled and honoured to be hosting my own comedy club on BBC Radio Wales,” said Kiri.

“The comedy scene in Wales has never been so strong and I’m delighted I will get to shout about it. We’ve been busy plotting what Kiri’s Comedy Club looks like and I’m thrilled to say we have some really exciting stuff coming up including stand-up showcases, round tables, profiles of Welsh comedians and interviews with comedy icons.”

Huw Stephens continues to present his Monday night programme, bringing classic tracks and new music from Wales while Aleighcia Scott continues to play reggae on Thursday nights. In between, brand new presenter, Molly Palmer weaves tracks from the Welsh music scene into Tuesday nights while The Country Show with Bronwen Lewis showcases new and classic country music on Wednesdays.

Owen Money gives listeners the chance to choose their favourites on Money For Nothing on Saturday mornings – now extended until 12pm.

And from April, Owen Money’s Solid Gold Sundays has a new time on Sunday mornings, as he plays hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s from 9.30am to 12pm.

Carolyn Hitt, Head of BBC Radio Wales, said: “We’re thrilled to be strengthening our weekend and weeknight schedules with new and established Welsh talent. Lucy Owen is known and loved by the Welsh audience on television and brings the same warm appeal to our Radio Wales listeners.

“I can’t wait to hear Kiri’s Comedy Club – Kiri is one of the biggest talents in UK comedy and her knowledge of the Welsh scene is second to none. She’s hugely creative and I know she’ll be curating our weekly comedy strand with real expertise and insight – as well as making us laugh, of course.

“Similarly, our line-up of weeknight music presenters bring authenticity and knowledge to their respective genres. I was struck by something Huw Stephens said in a recent interview as he explained the role of the music presenter.

“Radio is all about that human connection, and we strive to play the kind of songs you might never hear via an algorithm,’ Huw explained and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for with Huw, Molly, Bronwen and Aleighcia as they share their passion for music with our audience.

“As for Owen Money, he certainly knows how to connect with our audience and with his popularity as strong as ever they’ll be getting a bit more Money Saturday and Sunday mornings!”