UK

After seven years co-hosting Magic Breakfast with Harriet Scott, Ronan Keating presented his last show this morning.

Ronan announced he was stepping back from the show in June, saying it had been a difficult decision, but he wants to spend more time with his family and to concentrate on his music.
During the show he performed his song When You Say Nothing At All and a version of George Michael’s Faith.
He finished by admitting that the reality of leaving was really hitting him now and he couldn’t believe it had lasted seven years, but it had been so much fun.
Thanking Harriet, he told her she had taught him so much and wished her good luck, calling her a radio legend.
He also thanked listeners and said he’ll be around and will come back to say hi every now and then.
As he finished the show, colleagues from Magic Radio and sister Bauer stations lined the corridors to applaud him as he exited the building.
A replacement for Ronan hasn’t been announced yet, but for the timebeing the show will be Harriet and friends at Breakfast with Gok Wan popping for a few days, as will Will Young and then Nick Snaith is doing some cover for the summer holidays.

Seven incredible years and we’ve loved each day 💙
Just one show left before Ronan says goodbye to Magic Breakfast 🎶 pic.twitter.com/NaQsvLr9mC
— Magic Radio (@magicfm) July 30, 2024

Thank you @ronanofficial 💙 pic.twitter.com/EKJVXGYr7n
— Magic Radio (@magicfm) July 31, 2024 […]

The News Agents, presented by Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall has achieved 100 million downloads.

This follows the podcast’s General Election coverage, which saw a 45% increase in podcast downloads.
Global’s The News Agents has featured many names in news and current affairs including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey, Deputy PM Angela Rayner, the outgoing First Minister of Wales Vaughan Gething, former Scottish FM Nicola Sturgeon, former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair and US Senators Marjorie Taylor Greene and Bernie Sanders.
Awarded the Best Daily Podcast at the British Podcast Awards 2023, The News Agents has also reported from Calais on the human trafficking crisis, on the protests in Georgia from Tbilisi, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, a Donald Trump rally at Mar-a-Lago, the French General Election in Paris and at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Vicky Etchells, Head of News and Factual Podcasts at Global says: “We are delighted to celebrate The News Agents reaching this huge milestone of 100 million downloads.
“It’s hard to believe that the podcast launched less than two years ago as it has so quickly established itself as an essential part of the UK’s news media landscape.
This brilliant success is testament to Emily, Jon and Lewis’ unrivalled ability to provide listeners with exceptional reporting and analysis as well as their warmth and connection with our loyal listeners – and to the extraordinary talent of Global’s world-class podcast production team, led by Editor, Tom Hughes. Roll on the next 100 million!” […]

Religious station Radio Maria increased coverage to Stockport and Tameside.

As the station grows to cover more parts of the country, a public blessing of the new antenna has been held at the Hyde Cricket and Squash Club in Stockport.
Radio Maria already broadcasts to London, Cambridge, South Birmingham and Bristol, and these new areas will add another potential 500,000 listeners from towns including Davenport, Cheadle and areas of Cheshire.
The blessing ceremony was led by Father Sean Davidson, parish priest of St Joseph’s Church, Stockport, who also led the Rosary prayer and blessed the antenna.
Also present, was Canon Mark Gannon, Vicar General and parish priest of Our Lady and St Christopher’s Church, who blessed all those who were there.
President of Radio Maria, Dr Charles Wilson said: “We’re delighted to bring our unique flavour of radio to Stockport, Greater Manchester, Tameside and surrounding towns.
“It was a privilege to be at the public blessing. Just as we say grace before we eat, it seemed fitting to bless the antenna that is sending the word that will now feed the Stockport and South Manchester population.” […]

John ‘Gilly’ Gillmore is to host the Parched Pea Podcast for the Lancashire Post and Blog Preston.

John will speak to some of the characters who make up the city of Preston, supported by producers Ellie Browning and Sasha Wiltshire.
Episodes of the podcast, which is named after the Preston delicacy Parched Peas, include conversations about art, identity, sense of place, nostalgia, history, the future and the challenges the city faces.
Gilly said: “It’s great to be back doing what I do best, getting out and about meeting and chatting to people and unearthing some great stories. It’s an amazing project to have been involved with.”
Assisting Gilly with the podcast are University of Central Lancashire journalism students Ellie and Sasha.
Ellie said: “The podcast has been an incredible experience. I’ve loved learning from Gilly and everyone involved and hearing the stories of so many amazing people in Preston.”
Sasha added: “Working on this podcast has been such an amazing experience. I feel like we’ve really captured the beauty of Preston.”
The Parched Pea Podcast is a joint venture by Blog Preston and the Post, aimed at bringing Preston’s stories to an audio audience.
Founder and co-editor of Blog Preston, Ed Walker, said: “Bringing together Gilly’s experience, plus our knowledge and passion for the city means we’ve got a podcast which captures all things Preston.
“And it’s been great to see Ellie and Sasha working with a broadcasting legend and the podcast will give a voice, which is timeless, to some of the stories behind people and places in the city.”
National World’s editor-in-chief (North) and former Post editor, Nicola Adam, said: “I’m delighted to get this off the ground in Preston alongside Ed.  I’ve been very impressed by Ellie and Sasha’s work – and of course the lovely Gilly.
“It’s been really satisfying to truly collaborate across news organisations with something positive for Proud Preston. Many thanks to our sponsors.”
The six episode series of the Parched Pea Podcast will be available on all podcast platforms. […]

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!” […]