Five Live boss takes over as Radio 2 chief

Former Radio 5 Live boss Bob Shennan will take over as controller of BBC Radio 2, the corporation announced today.

Mr Shennan, who will also become controller of its sister station BBC 6 Music, replaces Lesley Douglas.

Ms Douglas resigned during the furore over the lewd calls made by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand to actor Andrew Sachs. Brand also quit and Ross last week returned to the BBC following his three-month suspension.

Mr Shennan was previously head of the Channel 4 radio division as well as controller of Radio 5 Live. Under his leadership, the news and sports channel reached a record audience of just under seven million listeners. He said today: "Radio 2 is the cornerstone of UK Radio. 6 Music is at the forefront of digital radio. It is a privilege to be asked to lead the extraordinary creative forces of both stations."