Colin Murray moves to new programmes on 5 Live

The Channel 4 Countdown quiz host is ending his weeknight programme and moving to Friday and Sunday slots.

BBC Radio 5 Live has confirmed schedule changes that will see Colin Murray move from his current 10 pm weeknight three-hour show to present a Sunday morning slot for two hours from 10 am.

Colin Murray:

“Leaving Weeknights has been a really difficult decision. I love my listeners, but personal scheduling issues meant a change was needed, and I’m delighted to be popping up on Friday afternoons and launching a new Sunday morning show on BBC5 Live which will sit perfectly between our weekend breakfast and Premier League Sundays. Can’t wait!”

Starting January 14th Colin will host a new-look Sunday morning sports programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. The format will, the Beeb state, be ‘an energetic kick-off to an afternoon of top flight sporting action, bringing big conversation, big stories and big interaction to listeners across the UK. It will be the perfect gateway into 5 Live’s sport-filled Sundays.’

Anne Robinson quit Countdown after two series

As well as Sunday mornings, Colin will also present on 5 Live on Friday afternoons from 2pm-4pm, which will feature the latest news and sports stories of the day, starting on January 12th.

Heidi Dawson, Controller of 5 Live:

“I can’t wait to hear Colin on a Sunday morning every week. It will be the perfect way to kick-off our extensive sports coverage and commentaries on a Sunday.”

In January this year, Channel 4 confirmed that Colin was to take over the full-time role of host of words and numbers quiz Countdown following a rotation of guest presenters to fill the void left by Anne Robinson quitting the job after a year and two series. Previous hosts include Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam, Des O’Connor, Jeff Stelling, and Nick Hewer.