One of Wales' best-known broadcasters is set to front a major new programme strand on BBC Radio Wales as part of BBC Wales' coverage of the arts in Wales.

The number of arts programmes broadcast by BBC Wales television is set to reach a new peak this year.

And now Radio Wales is expanding its arts provision with a new programme to be presented by Nicola Heywood Thomas, who will become the listeners' guide to the arts in Wales.

Radio Wales Editor Sali Collins says: "The arts scene in Wales is particularly vibrant at the moment, from Cardiff's Millennium Centre to the new Galeri in Caernarfon, the Riverside Arts Centre in Newport and the recently-opened Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon.

"I want Radio Wales to be at the heart of that and, by bringing in Nicola's expertise and knowledge, we can ensure that the new programme will play a key role in reflecting what's happening in the arts across the whole of Wales."

Nicola Heywood Thomas is a consultant to Arts & Business Cymru and who was one of the judges for this year's Wales Book of the Year.

She says: "I have always had a particularly keen interest in the arts and I'm really looking forward to the new challenge."

BBC Wales is also set to appoint an Executive Producer for arts who will be responsible for the long-term development of arts output across the whole of BBC Wales.

Nicola's place in Radio Wales's lunchtime schedule will be filled by Llanelli's Richard Evans who currently can be heard sharing the presentation duties on Good Morning Wales for Radio Wales.

Richard became familiar to millions as Zoe Ball's right-hand news man on the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show in the Nineties and, more recently, presented the Weekend News and other programmes on BBC Radio Five Live.

BBC Wales Press Office

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