BBC extends Chris Evans breakfast show

The BBC has announced that the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Radio 2 is to be extended for an extra half an hour.

From October 11, Evans will start his morning show at the earlier time of 6.30am.

"Less sleep but no matter - more music, more fun and more coffee very much required. Oh and of course extra yoga and meditation," said the presenter.

Bob Shennan, controller of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, added: "Chris has proved so popular with the Radio 2 listeners that it makes sense to give him a little extra time, even though he'll have to move his alarm clock."

In January, Evans took over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Sir Terry Wogan, who had presented the programme for 27 years.

According to Rajar figures, Evans attracted 8.48 million listeners a week in the three months to the end of August.

However, that was down by more than a million listeners on his record 9.53m in the previous quarter.