Line-up change at Virgin Radio

Virgin Radio is having a shake-up of its DJ line-up in the new year, which sees the departure of presenter Martin Collins.

Collins will leave the station in the new year. His drivetime show, which he has presented for a year, will be taken over by current evening presenter Ben Jones, and extended to a 4-8pm slot.

As part of the changes, Suggs has been handed his own afternoon show. The Madness frontman, who currently hosts Virgin's Party Classics on Friday and Saturday nights, will now host a new weekday afternoon show, Afternoon Tea with Suggs, between 2-4pm, as well just presenting Party Classics on Saturday.

Virgin Radio's programme director, Paul Jackson, said: "Having a national treasure like Suggs as a daytime DJ is a massive coup for Virgin Radio. Suggs has proved to be one of the most popular DJs on UK radio and our listeners simply can't get enough of him."

Christian O'Connell's breakfast show remains in its 6-10am slot, while Russ Williams' gets another hour added to his late morning show, which will now run from 10am until Suggs takes over at 2pm.

Neil Francis, who currently presents the early afternoon show will lose his slot, but stays with the station to present other programmes and sit in for DJs while they are on holiday.

Former breakfast co-host Geoff Lloyd, who currently hosts the 10pm-1am slot, will move to a new four hour show between 8pm-midnight.