Bruce Dickinson axed from BBC 6 Music

The BBC has axed Bruce Dickinson's 6 Music rock show and reduced Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie's Radio 2 programme as part of lineup changes at the stations.

Iron Maiden frontman Dickinson has hosted the Friday Night Rock Show since 2002, when digital-only station 6 Music was first launched.

However, he will leave the network from the end of April in the first major departure since the BBC put forward proposals to axe 6 Music by the close of 2011.

"6 Music is currently reviewing the way it reflects the rock and heavy metal genres across the network and has decided to decommission the Friday Night Rock Show," said a BBC spokeswoman.

"The network, however, remains committed to reflecting both genres throughout the schedule as part of its core music offering. We would very much like to thank Bruce Dickinson for the hard work and commitment he has shown to 6 Music over the past eight years."

Also in the changes, Radcliffe and Maconie's award-winning weeknight show will be reduced from four to three nights per week from April 12.

The duo's regular show on Thursday nights will be replaced with a new live music programme, titled In Concert. Radcliffe and Maconie will periodically present the show, which was previously broadcast on Radio 1.

The BBC spokeswoman added: "The Radcliffe and Maconie show will be broadcast three nights a week to accommodate a new two-hour show, Radio 2 In Concert, on Thursday evenings.

"The show - which will have Mark and Stuart among its presenters - extends the network's commitment to live music and features a headline concert specially recorded for Radio 2 and a round-up of the week's live music offering across the network."

6 Music is among two BBC digital radio stations facing closure, along with the Asian Network, as part of BBC director general Mark Thompson's strategy review.

Thompson also echoed recent comments by the BBC Trust that Radio 2 much better serve its target audience, including more entertainment and comedy programming in its schedule.