Gethin Jones gets 5 Live show

Gethin Jones has been given a weekly programme on BBC Radio 5 Live.

The Blue Peter presenter is leaving the children's programme at the end of June and will begin The Gethin Jones Show on July 5.

During its two-month run the show will cover the summer's sport and entertainment events. Jones was previously a rugby player for Lancashire and has recently appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.

"Joining Radio 5 Live with my own show is fantastic and I can't wait to get started," he said. "I relish a challenge and my first venture into radio will be just that. I've always loved the station and look forward to bringing my own flavour to Saturday mornings."

Adrian Van Klaveren, who took up his new position as controller of the station yesterday, added: "He'll be a fresh new voice to capture the spirit of summer and his show will fit in perfectly with the rest of our special programmes during July and August."

The new show will initially run from 9am to midday, though this will vary once coverage of the Beijing Olympics begins. Eamonn Holmes's 5 Live programme and Fighting Talk will return to their Saturday slots in September.