Nicholas Owen to host Classic FM show

The BBC News presenter, Nicholas Owen, is to join Global Radio's Classic FM to host a new Saturday afternoon show. Owen, ITN's former royal correspondent, will join the station on 8 January to host the midday to 3pm slot. A one-time contestant on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, Owen has also presented ITV's News at Ten, the broadcaster's lunchtime news programme and Channel 4 News. He rejoined the BBC in 2007 and is a regular face on the BBC's 24-hour news channel. The Classic FM managing director, Darren Henley, said Owen's "wealth of broadcasting experience, along with his passion for classical music, will be a tremendous asset to the station and I know that our audience will love him". • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".