Chris Evans is to join Radio 2 with a new weekly show. He will join the BBC station's Saturday line up which already includes Jonathan Ross and Dermot O'Leary. The announcement follows a number of rumours that the station was courting the presenter, and also brings to an end other rumours that the commercial radio sector were hoping to recruit the former Radio 1 and Virgin Radio star to front a high profile weekly show to be syndicated on commercial stations across the UK.
Confirming the new appointment, Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas told reporters: "Chris is one of the UK's most innovative broadcasters and I'm delighted that he is joining Radio 2."
The Radio 2 show will be Evans' first permanent presenting job for years. After a number of unsuccessful stabs at TV production, Evans started to move back into presenting when he hosted this year's Brit Awards and commercial radio's tsunami relief radio-thon, UK Radio Aid. His relationship with Radio also began earlier this year, with Evans presenting one off bank holiday specials and last weekend's Live 8 coverage. Of course Evans has a history of falling out with radio bosses - eventually sacked by both Radio 1 and Virgin Radio. It remains to be seen if he returns to his erratic ways once he is part of Radio 2's permanent presenting team.