Eurovision commentator Rylan Clark-Neal joins BBC Radio 2

Eurovision commentator Rylan Clark-Neal has joined BBC Radio 2. The TV and radio host will take over from Zoe Ball for the Saturday afternoon show, the broadcaster announced.

Rylan and the BBC

The radio show Rylan will be hosting will be his first solo hosting job at the BBC. Their relationship came to life last year, when Rylan joined the BBC Eurovision team. As an expert during Eurovision: You Decide, he impressed many viewers with his knowledge of the Eurovision Song Contest.

A few weeks later, the BBC announced that Rylan Clark-Neal would travel to Lisbon to co-commentate the Eurovision Song Contest semifinals, alongside Scott Mills. He served as the replacement for Mel Giedroyc.

BBC Radio 2: A new adventure

Rylan Clark-Neal has pretty much done it all in show business. From cooking on television at Celebrity MasterChef to taking part in the X Factor, he’s been there. After his X Factor adventure, he went on to be a television host. He has presented Celebrity Big Brother, as well as his own talk show Up Late With Rylan. Recently, Rylan had to say goodbye to Big Brother UK, as Channel 5 decided to stop airing the show. Radio is however a new chapter for the 30 year old.

Rylan recently covered for Zoe Ball when she was unable to host the BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday afternoon this summer. His stay there will now be a longer one, as Ball will take over the weekday breakfast show. Rylan’s task at the BBC will be to bring a younger audience. The head of Radio 2, Lewis Carnie, spoke to The Telegraph about hiring the Essex native, where he said:

I’m delighted that Rylan can join Radio 2 and we will give him a warm welcome in his new presenting role. Our listeners can expect a wonderful mix of fun and Rylan’s inimitable style on Saturday afternoons.

Lewis Carnie, speaking to The Telegraph

How do you feel about Rylan Clark-Neal becoming a BBC Radio 2 host? Are you hoping to see him back at Eurovision? Let us know!