Hits Radio announce new breakfast line up

Manchester-based Hits Radio have announced their new breakfast show line up following Gemma Atkinson’s announcement that she would not return after her maternity leave. 

Former X Factor winner and I’m a Celeb star Fleur East will take over the role from Friday 12th July.  

She’ll be joined by comedian James Barr and former Capital host Greg Burns as it was announced Gethin Jones and Dave Vitty would also be leaving the show. 

In a statement released by Hits Radio, Fleur said the new team were “buzzing with excitement” about their new roles. 

“There will be early starts, but breakfast radio has the power to brighten up any morning, and we’re all about bringing that fun and positive energy.” 

Gemma, who is currently expecting her first baby, revealed she would be stepping down from the role last month. 

The 34-year-old took to Instagram to announce that she would not return to the early morning slot upon having her baby. 

“I figured being woken up by a baby throughout the night will leave me in no fit state to wake you guys up at breakfast”. 

But the former Emmerdale actress reassured fans that she would return to the station as she announced she will join Wes Butters on his drive time show when her maternity leave has ended. 

Gemma, who celebrated her baby shower last week, and her Strictly boyfriend Gorka Marquez are expecting the baby to arrive in early July. 

Outside of her radio career, Gemma also shared her new ‘Stronger’ workout created with her personal trainer, which is available on fitness platform TV.Fit. 

In a post shared on Instagram, Gemma said: “I wanted women to feel stronger, regardless of what they do in their lives.” 

Today’s announcement also marks another big event in singer Fleur’s life following her wedding to boyfriend of nine years Marcel Badiane-Robin earlier this month. 

This will be Fleur’s first stint as a radio presenter although she has had some practice hosting the ‘Inch Loss Island’ segment on This Morning. 

The breakfast show with Fleur, James and Greg can be heard on Hits Radio every weekday morning between 6am – 10am.