Clare McDonnell joins Tony Livesey to present 5 Live Drive

Clare McDonnell will join Tony Livesey as the new presenter of 5 Live Drive.

Clare will become the new host of the 4pm-7pm programme from 14 February, following the departure of Anna Foster in August.

Having presented programmes across the network, including Drive and Breakfast, Clare is already familiar to 5 Live’s audience.

Delivering breaking news as it happens, Drive is a daily news programme with listeners at its core. Our presenters prioritise warmth and humour, determined to lift audience spirits through recent difficult times. Our listeners tell us they have become voices of reassurance who make them smile and laugh, as well as keeping them informed.

Clare and Tony will mark the beginning of their Drive-time partnership on Monday, 14 February. The programme will air in its usual 4pm-7pm slot on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Clare McDonnell says: “I loved 5 Live as a listener for many years before I got the opportunity to present on the network. Tony and I have great on-air chemistry, which is a gift to take into a new show. Together, I hope we can take the programme onto new heights and reflect the ever-changing lives of our audience. I can’t wait to transmit our joyful energy onto the airwaves and have a laugh with the listeners!”

As part of the 5 Live family, Clare is a hugely experienced journalist and an award-winning broadcaster. Away from 5 Live, she has presented programmes on BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and BBC Three, as well as covering major stories for millions of listeners on BBC World Service’s Newsday.

Tony Livesey says: “I can’t wait to work with Clare again, and how great that this is a long-term appointment. She makes me think, she makes me sit up and take notice and she makes me laugh. I know our listeners will love her because when she’s stood in to present the programme in the past they’ve sent many, many texts to the show to tell us. Roll on February 14th.”

Heidi Dawson, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live, says: “Clare is a sharp journalist who gets to the heart of a story. She always wants to know how the news affects people’s lives. A natural broadcaster, Clare also has a great sense of humour and I know our listeners will enjoy spending more time with her on 5 Live. She has been a part of the station’s news programme team for some time and I’m delighted that she’ll now have a daily show with Tony Livesey.”

BBC Radio 5 Live is the voice of the UK, bringing audiences news, sport and topical, entertaining conversation. Clare joins a daytime line-up that includes Rachel Burden, Rick Edwards, Naga Munchetty, Adrian Chiles, Nihal Arthanayake and Tony Livesey.

5 Live Drive airs every weekday from 4pm (5pm on Fridays) on BBC Radio 5 Live. Listen live on BBC Sounds.

JH4