BBC Radio Nottingham’s Sarah Julian’s replacement announced as presenter says: ‘You’re going to have a great time’

BBC Radio Nottingham’s Sarah Julian has announced who will replace her on the city’s morning show. The BBC presenter, who joined the national broadcaster in 1997, presented her final show on Friday 19 April.

The breakfast show host will take over the prime time morning slot on BBC Radio WM in Birmingham from May 7. In her final morning broadcast, Sarah presented some of the show’s best bits from recent years, as well as explaining who would be replacing her.

“I’m going away for a year and Verity is going to be in charge – you’re going to have a great time,” she told listeners. “I’ve had lots of lovely messages, this one is from Catherine who says ‘you’ve been a friend over the years’, you know that’s how it’s been.

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“She says: ‘I’ve loved following your life, with the arrival of the babies, hearing about the family’s growth and in the last few years, (you’ve) kept us smiling through terrible times like Covid, war, and you’ve been a link to home.'”

Verity Cowley, Sarah’s temporary successor, has been with the BBC for many years, having been the face of a number of different programmes – including drivetime. Verity is stepping in as the BBC works to appoint a permanent replacement for Sarah.

When Sarah announced her departure on air on Tuesday 16 April, listeners were quick to express their support and best wishes. One of the messages was from Labour MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood. She said: “Good luck in your new job. You will be sorely missed in Nottingham, but our loss is the West Midlands’ gain!”

Councillor Alan Rhodes, Labour councillor for Worksop North East on Bassetlaw District Council, added: “Good luck Sarah, and thank you for some robust interviews. When I was leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and making some very difficult decisions, you asked me ‘why don’t you just man up’!

“You are the best in local broadcasting and Notts will miss you.” Another listener, Amanda Needham, said: “Hearing you say that makes it all the more real. I really, really hope you come back.

“I wish you every happiness and best wishes, you will be fabulous no matter what you do.”

It comes amid a shake-up of the BBC’s services. Under the changes, some familiar presenters have taken on new programmes and areas, with breakfast, mid-morning and sports programmes remaining largely the same for each radio station.

The changes follow a decision by the BBC to take a digital approach to local news. The move has led to criticism, with the BBC’s plans likely to significantly impact other news providers that are not supported by a licence fee.

As part of the new approach, jobs are being cut and local programming is being merged between counties. The plan to expand its local news output online will inevitably impact titles such as Nottinghamshire Live, which are funded by advertising revenue and cannot run ad-free pages like the licence fee-funded BBC can.