From April 2025 Petroc Trelawny, currently the voice of BBC Radio 3’s weekday Breakfast, will become the new host of In Tune alongside Katie Derham, while current presenter of Sunday Breakfast Tom McKinney will take the weekday slot, with the programme produced and presented in Salford.
The latest schedules further strengthen BBC Radio 3’s production base in the North West, with all Breakfast programmes now produced and presented from there.
In 2025 BBC Radio 3 also bids a fond farewell to Sean Rafferty, the longstanding host of In Tune after over 25 years delighting listeners. Sean has been the recognisable voice of In Tune since he became the main presenter in 1997 and has welcomed the brightest and best artists, musicians and conductors to London Broadcasting House’s Studio 80A. In 2004 Rafferty was awarded Radio Presenter of the Year at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards, and was appointed MBE in 2017 for services to Broadcasting. He is an Honorary Member of the Royal College of Music and an Honorary Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Sam Jackson, controller BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms, said: “After over 50 years of broadcasting, nearly three decades of which have been on BBC Radio 3, Sean Rafferty’s impact has been immeasurable – and we all wish him the very best for the future. I’m delighted that, after over a decade of early starts, Petroc will be joining Katie to bring his wit, warmth and sparkling rapport to In Tune. Tom McKinney, meanwhile, is already one of our most popular broadcasters, and I’m thrilled that he’ll continue to offer the unique and eclectic selection of classical music that Radio 3 Breakfast is known for. With the programme set to be broadcast from our new studios in Salford, Radio 3 further reflects the wealth of talent – both on-air and off-air – across the UK.”
McKinney added: “Radio 3 Breakfast is a really special place where everyone’s invited to start their day with the best classical music. And that warm welcome is thanks to Petroc. Over the last decade he’s built a community of listeners, including me, who are looking to appreciate some of the things that help make the world a more interesting and better place. And it’s what we’ll continue to bring you every morning, with the talent and energy of Radio 3’s team in Salford.”
Weekday Breakfast joins a raft of programmes already being produced from Radio 3’s Salford base: Early Music Show, Music Map, Sound of Gaming, Sound of Cinema, Classical Live, Choral Evensong, Saturday Breakfast, Sunday Breakfast and Through the Night (from Oct 2024).
As part of the BBC’s Across the UK plan, announced by the BBC’s Director-General Tim Davie in March 2021, BBC Radio 3 is in the process of moving programmes and stations away from London to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country.
BBC Radio & Music is contributing to the BBC-wide programme across its portfolio by committing to increase network spend to 50% outside London; this includes creating a single base for BBC Asian Network in Birmingham, and relocating shows for BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, and Radio 2 and rooting both BBC Radio 3 and Radio 6 Music in Salford.
