Cerys Matthews returns to BBC 6Music

Cerys Matthews will soon return to digital-only radio station BBC 6Music to host a new weekend show, it has been confirmed.

After taking time out from broadcasting last year to record a new solo album, the former Catatonia singer will start her new 10am Sunday morning show at Easter on April 4.

She takes on the programme following a successful period spent standing in for Nemone on BBC 6Music in 2009 for the weekday 1pm to 4pm slot.

"I had a great time with the audience every afternoon on 6Music; I'm now excited to be slipping into my brand new Sunday morning slot, bringing my own particular choice of tasty tunes from the right side of rock 'n' roll," she said.

"There'll be more live music, virtual radio road trips, guests, requests, texts, twitters and purely great music from the past, present and beyond."

BBC Radio 2 and 6Music controller Bob Shennan added: "Cerys proved to be a natural broadcaster during her tenure on 6 Music last year, and I'm delighted to welcome her to a permanent home on the network."

Matthews takes over the Sunday slot from Jon Richardson, who is leaving after three-and-a-half years at BBC 6Music to concentrate on his stand-up comedy career.

Announcing his departure to listeners, Richardson said: "The time has come to move on. It's time to do some other things and let someone else know what it is to spend Sunday mornings with you."

Last week, it was announced that BBC 6Music grew its weekly audience to 695,000 listeners over the last quarter of 2009, up from 624,000 the previous quarter and 619,000 during the same time in 2008.