Kirsty Wark to present editions of Radio 4’s Front Row from Scotland

July 12, 2024 – BBC presenter Kirsty Wark will present her final episode of BBC Two’s Newsnight this evening and is to start presenting editions of Radio 4’s Front Row from Scotland this summer.

Kirsty will present one edition of Front Row weekly from Glasgow with her first episode in front of a live audience at the Edinburgh Festival on 13 August.

With a deep rooted appreciation for the arts, Kirsty used to present Newsnight’s arts strand, Newsnight Review, for more than a decade, as well as Newsnight, where she was the longest-serving presenter. During her time at the helm, Kirsty has interviewed many prominent cultural figures, including the final interview with the playwright Harold Pinter.

Music journalist Kate Molleson will also join as a presenter of Front Row from Scotland and present some episodes weekly from September. Kate is a well-known voice on BBC Radio 3’s Composer of the Week, the New Music Show and live concerts. The programme will continue to be a lively and eclectic mix of the biggest stories from the world of art, literature, film, media and music, with details of the latest shows, events and exhibitions happening across the UK and around the world.

Kirsty Wark says: “I have been so lucky to have been given a true labour of love and I’m looking forward to many conversations and performances right across the artistic spectrum and beyond. I have always found that people interested in politics are just as interested in culture and vice versa so I see this new role as an extension of everything that I hold dear.”

Mohit Bakaya, BBC Director of Speech, says: “We’re delighted that Front Row will come from Glasgow once a week as part of our commitment to creating production opportunities outside of London and investing in audio across the UK. Following the success of Saturday Live moving to Wales and Pick of the Week to Northern Ireland, our new network radio production hubs allow us to better reflect, represent and serve all audiences. I’m looking forward to hearing Kirsty kick things off live on Front Row from the Edinburgh Festival this August.”

Last year the BBC committed to moving 50 episodes of Front Row out of London as part of a commitment to increasing the volume of content that is made from Scotland and Northern Ireland. The BBC’s Across the UK plan is centred around moving shows, talent, teams, and content away from London to allow the BBC to better reflect, represent and serve all audiences. Front Row editions from London and Salford continue on other days of the week.

The BBC now has a vibrant network of radio production hubs in all the four nations, bringing more investment into different parts of the UK, enhancing portrayal and supporting the nations’ audio sectors.

Listen to BBC Radio 4’s Front Row on BBC Sounds