This comes after the sad passing of the "icon" earlier this year which saw huge names from across television, radio and come together to commend his impact on their lives. Singer and West End star Michael, who currently presents on Sundays from 11am to 1pm, will host Love Songs with Michael Ball from 9am to 11am from June this year. Steve Wright was previously the long-time presenter of the Sunday Love Songs programme, continuing to host even after stepping down from his weekday afternoon show in September of 2022.

Discussing his predecessor, Michael Ball described as an "icon" and said he wanted "to do the show justice". He said: “When this opportunity arrived, I knew I couldn’t turn it down. I’m so nervous, but of course I’m also incredibly excited.

“I want to do the show justice because Steve was and still is such an icon. He showcased the best of what radio is and the enjoyment it could bring to countless people. “I loved Steve’s Sunday Love Songs, I loved to listen to it when I woke up on a Sunday morning.

It really was an appointment to listen, so I’m incredibly honoured and humbled that they’ve asked me to have a go. “I’ve been at Radio 2 for almost 20 years now, and I can’t imagine not being on the station as I truly love doing my shows and connecting with the listeners.” He added that he hoped the show would make for a relaxing listen and that it would be like “a Sunday morning hug from the radio”.

He said: “I’ll wake you up gently w.