Laverne saddened by BBC 6 Music axe plans

BBC 6 Music DJ Lauren Laverne has reacted with sadness to BBC director general Mark Thompson's plan to close the digital station.

Thompson confirmed today that 6 Music and BBC Asian Network are facing the axe as part of a major overhaul of the corporation.

At the start of her 10am to 1pm show this morning, Laverne said that "it's not the easiest day to be on the radio" following confirmation of the proposed closure of 6 Music, which she loves "with all my heart".

Laverne thanked listeners for their "lovely kind words" and passed on contact details for the BBC Trust, which is running a 12-week public consultation on the recommendations.

Published today, the BBC's strategic review said: "Given the strength of its popular music radio offering from Radio 1 and 2 and the opportunity to increase the distinctiveness of Radio 2, the BBC has concluded that the most effective and efficient way to deliver popular music on radio is to focus investment on these core networks".

The review said that 6 Music "competes head on for a commercially valuable audience" and so its closure would "recognise the lead role that commercial radio plays in serving popular music to 30 to 50-year-old audiences".

However, the BBC said that it would review how 6 Music's "most distinctive programmes can be successfully transferred to other BBC radio stations, and how its support for new and specialist music can be sustained across the BBC".