Llewelyn Bowen, Alex James join Classic

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Margherita Taylor and Alex James have joined Classic FM in a major overhaul of the station's schedule which will also bring its first ever jazz show.

Llewelyn-Bowen will present his first radio show at 9am on Sunday mornings. The Sunday Spa is billed to bring "two hours of laid-back classics".

James, formerly Blur's bassist, joins a new The A-Z of Classical Music series - a comprehensive 100-parter to run over two years at 11am on Sundays. It is the station's biggest ever commission and aims to be "the definitive guide to classical music".

Taylor, currently Capital 95.8's morning host, will present Smooth Classics At Six from 6-9pm on weekdays. Station bosses say it will be the "ultimate wind-down zone".

The introduction of the Classic FM Jazz show, from Helen Mayhew on weekdays and Tim Lihoreau on Saturday and Sundays, comes after Classic FM owner GCap announced it would close digital-only station theJazz. The new offering will run midnight-2am daily and be complemented by a full-time jazz channel on the station's website.

"We’ve spent the last few months talking extensively to our listeners and our new programme lineup is a direct response to what they want to hear on Classic FM," said Classic managing director Darren Henley.

Lisa Duncombe, on midnight-2am, and Mark Griffiths, who has the 2-6am weekday slot, are departing in the shake-up.

Nick Bailey will take over the early mornings while Henry Kelly, currently on Sunday mornings, will get a Sunday evening show in the spring.

The new lineup will begin on February 25.