Alexander Armstrong to host Classic FM mornings as John Suchet moves to evenings

After almost 10 years hosting Classic FM’s morning show, John Suchet is moving to present a new weekday evening concert programme, Monday to Friday from 8pm to 10pm from 1 June.

The Classic FM Concert with John Suchet will feature the best recordings of orchestras, choirs and soloists from across the UK and around the world. The new show will be in addition to John’s current year-long Saturday night series, Beethoven: The Man Revealed.

Alexander Armstrong will replace John on the weekday morning programme and becomes the fourth presenter of the show in the station’s 28-year history.

Alexander joined the permanent line-up on Classic FM in 2014 and has been presenting his own weekend afternoon shows. He’ll continue with his Saturday afternoon programme, in addition to his TV show Pointless.

Alexander Armstrong said: “I think this is the most wonderful job in all radio. To be appointed John Suchet’s successor is a tremendous honour – that is a substantial pair of shoes I shall be stepping into, and I hope I can show myself worthy of them.

“Music has been the abiding force in my life from as far back as my memory stretches, and to be able to share that love with a new daily audience on Classic FM is about as perfect as life gets.”

John Suchet said: “It has been a pleasure and privilege sharing weekday mornings with our listeners for almost 10 years, but it is time for something different for me.

“I wish Alexander Armstrong, the new voice of mornings on the station, all the best as he picks up the baton from me. From Monday, I will be indulging in my passion for classical music with a new weekday evening programme, The Classic FM Concert with John Suchet.

“It will be full of the finest pieces of classical music, as well as the stories behind the composers and I can’t wait to bring these great musicians to life for our listeners.”

Classic FM’s Managing Editor Phil Noyce said: “What makes Classic FM the UK’s most popular classical music station is our way of presenting the music to our 5.5 million listeners, embodied by our peerless team of broadcasters.

“It is an exciting moment in the history of Classic FM to welcome Alexander Armstrong as the new host of our flagship morning programme.

“We are looking forward to Alexander bringing his passion for classical music, his enthusiasm and sense of humour to weekday mornings.

“I am also pleased to announce our new concert programme presented by someone who’s been a central part of the Classic FM family for over a decade, John Suchet.”