Michelle Dignan to host BBC Radio Manchester Breakfast

BBC Radio 5 Live travel presenter Michelle Dignan is joining BBC Radio Manchester to presenter the breakfast show.

Michelle, who has also worked for Bauer at various stations around the north of England, replaces Becky Want next month.

In addition to doing voice-overs for the last 15 years, Michelle has co-hosted breakfast at Key 103 in Manchester, Rock FM in Lancashire and Hallam FM in Sheffield.

She has also presented weekend breakfast at Heat Radio and The Hits.

Michelle tells RadioToday: “I’m unbelievably excited to be presenting BBC Radio Manchester’s breakfast show.

“To keep everyone company first thing in the morning is a privilege and I will do my best to make sure everyone hears all the news they need to know, and hopefully have a laugh along the way.

“And I can’t wait to be reunited with newsreader extraordinaire Paul ‘Locko’ Lockitt. I’m not quite the care-free 21-year-old girl about town I was when I last worked with him at Key 103- I now come with a husband, 2 kids and a dog- but I’m sure we’ll still have fun!

“Anyone from Greater Manchester will tell you that it’s an amazing place, with amazing people, I’m going to celebrate that every morning. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Her appointment sees Becky Want return to her afternoon slot (2-6pm) following her 18-month stint on breakfast during the Covid pandemic, while Phil Trow moves to the late-night programme (10-1am).

Anna Jameson takes over Friday and Saturday breakfast (6-10am) and Simone Riley will host Friday and Saturday daytimes (10-2pm).

BBC Radio Manchester Editor, Kate Squire, said: “I’m absolutely delighted Michelle Dignan is going to be presenting our breakfast show, she’s a brilliant broadcaster and being born and brought up in Wythenshawe she knows what makes Greater Manchester tick. I just know our listeners are going to love her.

“Huge thanks to Becky Want for covering the breakfast programme during a global pandemic, keeping listeners informed and entertained. She has earned a lie-in and a return to her spiritual home in the afternoon.

“And to Phil Trow whose also been brilliant for listeners, keeping them going throughout Covid, he now takes his popular afternoon features and fun to late nights Monday to Thursday.”