Emma Barnett announced as new host of Radio 4’s Women’s Hour

Emma Barnett has been announced as the new host of Radio 4’s Women’s Hour.

The 5 Live and Newsnight presenter, 35, will take over from the previous hosts Jane Garvey and Dame Jenni Murray, who both recently quit the BBC radio show.

She took to her Twitter account to excitedly announce the news on Monday morning by sharing a picture of her Women’s Hour branded radio microphone.

Alongside a string of radio emojis, Emma captioned the post: “New radio home from January… Monday to Thursday 10am @BBCWomansHour @BBCRadio4…”

The radio host already presents the show’s late-night spin-off and regularly chairs the Woman’s Hour Power List.

Emma first hosted Woman’s Hour at the age of 26, making her the youngest presenter in the show’s history.

Women’s Hour is one of the longest-running programmes on British radio, first launching in 1946.

The show, which is 45 minutes long, is broadcast every morning at 10:00am on BBC Radio 4.

The current arrangement sees Dami Jenni and Jane share presenting duties.

But Emma will will be the main host from Monday to Thursday each week, with an additional presenter on Fridays and Saturdays.

She will step down from her mid-morning show on 5 Live but will continue to present Newsnight on BBC Two.

Emma said in a statement: “I can’t wait to get to know the many listeners of Woman’s Hour a lot, lot better.

“What adventures we are going to have together – all starting in the year that this BBC institution, the radio mothership, turns 75.

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