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Update: this press release, originally posted on 24 February, was updated on 10 March 2010 to reflect the new start date for Desmond Carrington's Friday night show.

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Desmond Carrington to lead Friday night schedule

Jamie Cullum to host Tuesday evening jazz show

´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 2 is refreshing its evening schedule from April 2010 with Desmond Carrington moving to launch the weekend schedule from Friday 9 April between 7.00 and 8.00pm, and Jamie Cullum launching a new weekly jazz show from Tuesday 6 April from 7.00 to 8.00pm.

Previously broadcast on Tuesday evenings, Desmond's show will continue to be broadcast live from his home in Perthshire and draw on eclectic gems from his unique record collection of more than 250,000 discs.

Desmond said: "When I was asked to introduce a record programme in 1981, the contract was for three months. With one or two changes, the latest being the move to Friday evenings at 7pm just after Easter – that three months will soon be 30 years! Thank you, Radio 2, for keeping me young."

Desmond will also work on further Radio 2 projects, including a series on iconic music figures from the Fifties to be transmitted later this year.

Bob Shennan, Controller Radio 2 and 6 Music, comments: "Desmond has been a valued part of the Radio 2 story for many years and I'm certain that his show will become one of the highlights of the Friday night schedule. Desmond has fantastic appeal across the ages and I hope that his listeners will continue to enjoy the programme in its new slot."

Desmond's show leads into an extended Friday Night Is Music Night broadcast from 8.00 to 10.00pm. Forthcoming Friday Night Is Music Night highlights include performances from Neil Sedaka.

Another highlight to the Radio 2 evening schedule will be a new jazz programme hosted by Jamie Cullum, the UK's biggest-selling jazz artist of all time.

Jamie Cullum will be a one-stop jazz shop featuring guest interviews, live performances and news from the jazz world from the UK and around the globe.

Jamie most recently appeared on Radio 2 at the launch of Weekend Wogan on Sunday 14 February where he performed a unique duet with Norah Jones.

The Radio 2 audience is familiar with Jamie as he has presented many documentaries on subjects varying from Quincy Jones to the history of Ronnie Scott's, to 70 Years Of Cool, the story of Blue Note Records.

Jamie can't wait to get started: "It's an extraordinary privilege to be able to present an hour of jazz and jazz-related music at such a civilised hour.

"We're going to present a show that will excite people's ears and bring them into a scene they may not know about."

Bob Shennan comments: "Radio 2 is proud to demonstrate a continued commitment to jazz by announcing this brand new show.

"I look forward to Jamie unearthing burgeoning jazz stars of the future, as well as shining a light on the jazz world on a weekly basis."

Jamie joins a wealthy stable of specialist music presenters at Radio 2 including Mike Harding, Paul Jones, Trevor Nelson, Jools Holland, Elaine Paige and Bob Harris.

SH3