Nihal Arthanayake to leave daytimes on BBC Radio 5 Live

BBC Radio 5 Live afternoon presenter Nihal Arthanayake has just announced he’s leaving the afternoon show.

The former Radio 1 and Asian Network host has been on 5 live for eight years, having joined to host afternoons with Sarah Brett in 2016.

He joined the BBC in 2002 for programmes on Radio 1, moving up to the weekend breakfast show in 2007 and a daily phone-in on Asian Network.

His last weekday 1-4pm show will be on June 27th, and will host documentaries each Sunday on 5 Live at 8pm from September.

Nihal said: “I’ve got a second book to write and I need some time and space, and do some other things that I’ve always wanted to do.”

We’ll update this story with more information shortly.