Allan Beswick moves to weekends on Local BBC Radio

Weeknight phone-in host Allan Beswick, who is heard across BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Manchester Monday to Thursday, is moving to weekends only.

Allan has hosted the show since 2014, and the move means each station will move to provide local programmes in their own areas.

John Gillmore will host 10pm till 1am on BBC Radio Lancashire (and Cumbria), whilst Anna Jameson will be on BBC Radio Manchester.

The new show, on Saturday and Sunday, will also air on BBC Radio Merseyside.

The former Red Rose Radio presenter announced the news on his programme Sunday night, saying the move should have happened about 18 months ago but was delayed, then the pandemic delayed it further.

On moving to weekends only, he added: “I’m 72 reaching the end of my career and we have to give other people opportunities to develop theirs.”

BBC Radio Merseyside takes Allan Beswick on a Sunday, and Linda McDermott will continue locally Monday to Thursday.

Kate Squire, editor of BBC Radio Manchester, told RadioToday: “Allan is moving to weekends where his new show will be shared on our three local radio stations in the North West. Known and loved throughout the North West for his no-nonsense style, Allan is the master of late-night radio phone-ins so this will be a great listen across the region.”

You can hear his announcement from 7’46” onwards here.

This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk