Month: July 2024

Iain Dale has had to take time off from his LBC evening show after being rushed to A&E on Monday suffering with severe pains.

He posted on X late last night: “Three and a half hours in A&E and it looks like a gall bladder issue. They’re running tests. Might have to come back tomorrow.”
Earlier this morning, still in hospital, he posted his thanks for all the good wishes he’d received and an update on the test results: “Firstly, thanks for all the good wishes. I went to A&E last night at 9pm with acute pain on the right-hand side of my chest.
“I am now in intensive care awaiting an operation to remove my gall bladder. Not ideal. In fact, it’s a nightmare. NHS care at Tunbridge Wells hospital is so far outstanding.”
It’s not known how long Iain will be off-air from LBC, but a Global spokesperson told RadioToday: “Simon Marks is presenting 7pm-10pm from tonight to Thursday.” […]

Indiyah Polack is joining Capital XTRA Breakfast to guest co-host with Robert Bruce.

The former Love Island contestant and podcaster will be on-air from tomorrow, Wednesday 31st July, while regular co-host Shayna Marie is on holiday.
Indiyah now co-hosts the Love Island: The Morning After podcast and the PrettyLittleThing YouTube series The Pink Courtroom with Nella Rose.
Over the last couple of days, she has been reporting live into Capital XTRA Breakfast from Mallorca with the latest from the Love Island final.
On joining Capital XTRA, Indiyah said: “I’ve had a blast joining Robert over the last few days, dishing up all the hot gossip from the Love Island villa, and I am so excited and humbled to be asked to present Capital XTRA breakfast with him. I’m such a fan of the station, and I can’t wait to be in front of the mic. Bring it on!”
Matt Deverson, Managing Editor for Capital XTRA, added: “Fresh from reporting from the Love Island villa, we’re delighted to bring Indiyah into the fold at Capital XTRA, stepping into Shayna Marie’s shoes whilst Shayna is on holiday.
“We’ve seen Indiyah and Robert develop a really fun energy on air over the last two days, and we’re thrilled that she will be joining Robert for the start of the summer holidays!” […]

BBC Radio 4 has announced new audio drama commissions including Central Intelligence, showcasing world-renowned talent.

Produced by Goldhawk Productions, Thoroughbred Studios and Rainfall Creations, Central Intelligence is part of Radio 4’s Limelight strand of drama serials. It tells the true insider story of the CIA from the perspective of Eloise Page (Kim Cattrall), who joined on the agency’s first day in 1947 and became one of its most powerful women.
Central Intelligence, starring Kim Cattrall, Ed Harris and Johnny Flynn begins on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds on 13th September.
Other new commissions include King Lear, starring Richard Wilson and produced by Brill Productions, with more Shakespeare commissions to follow. New original dramas on Radio 4 include Breaking the Rules season, a series of one-off dramas exploring the theme of rule-breaking.
This autumn will see new adaptations of Charles Dickens’ Hard Times, Little Dorrit, and Our Mutual Friend.
Alison Hindell, Radio 4’s Commissioning Editor for Drama and Fiction says: “Radio 4’s commitment to audio drama is unrivalled, with more than 250 hours of world class productions brought to audiences each year, broadcast daily on Radio 4, reaching nearly five million listeners every week and even more on BBC Sounds.
“With Central Intelligence, Radio 4 and Limelight listeners are in for a treat: it’s so exciting to have world-class casting of this calibre to complement the bold ambition of this powerful drama serial.
“Audio drama is unique in the way it transports us to different places and times, and this ambitious series will give an intimate insider’s view of some of the most remarkable events of the last century.” […]