6 Music to swap comics

Russell Howard is poised to take over from fellow stand-up Russell Brand on BBC 6 Music.

The Big Brother’s Big Mouth host is credited with attracting record audiences to the adult-orientated digital music station, but has now been promoted to Radio 2.

And if.comeddie nominee Howard will be replacing him in the 10am to 1pm Sunday slot.

The Bristol-based comic has previously fronted Radio 2’s Saturday lunchtime comedy show Out To Lunch, and is a regular on Radio 4 panel show Banter – but this will be his first DJing job.

This Sunday’s show will be Brand’s last, with Howard taking over from November 12.

Brand said: 'I am honoured to serve an apprenticeship under the tutelage of broadcast wisdom such as Ross, Wogan and Evans. It is the Hogwarts of radio. I just hope I can keep my wand up.'

Lesley Douglas, controller of both Radios 2 and 6 Music, said: ‘I’m sure Russell Brand’s new show will become a must-listen for Saturday nights.

’He established himself as a genuine radio talent on 6 Music and has done a brilliant job there. Radio 2 gives him a fresh challenge and a new audience.’

She added that replacement Howard ‘is one of the most exciting stand-up comics around’.

’And, yes,’ he added. ‘You do have to be called Russell to present a show in this slot.’

Howard, 26, said: 'I'm delighted and a little bit giddy to be joining 6 Music as it is undoubtedly one of the coolest places to be.'

In the latest Rajar audience figures, 6 Music was revealed to have a record weekly audience of 400,000 – which the BBC credited to the ‘Brand effect’ of Russell and co-presenter Trevor Lock bringing new listeners to the station.

Published: 1 Nov 2006