Ayesha Hazarik and Ed Vaizey to host Lunch on Times Radio

Ed Vaizey is to host lunchtimes on Times Radio, sharing the show with Ayesha Hazarik.

They take over presenting duties recently relinquished by Mariella Frostrup and Ruth Davidson.

Ed Vaizey is a former culture minister and Conservative peer, and joined Times Radio in 2022, taking the reins of a weekly Friday evening show covering everything from culture and history to science and technology. He has also become a familiar voice in the daytime schedule over recent months.

He will also continue to present his Friday evening show on Times Radio from 7-10pm.

Ayesha Hazarika MBE is a political commentator, having worked at the heart of government for over a decade. Since 2020, Ayesha has been the weekend drivetime host on Times Radio, where she, along with a vast range of guests, has analysed the weekly Westminster happenings.

Ed Vaizey said: “The lunchtime show on Times Radio is perfectly placed to digest the morning’s news while working up an appetite for the rest of the day ahead, in Westminster and beyond. I’ll do my best to tidy up after myself.”

Ayesha Hazarika said: “Times Radio is all about conversation, not confrontation. As the UK’s political parties gear up for the serious business of campaigning ahead of a general election, I’m excited to be inviting listeners to lunch as we chew over the news of the day, Wednesday to Friday.”

Times Radio Programme Director Tim Levell said: “Times Radio listeners love hearing from people who’ve lived and worked at the heart of politics – and Ed and Ayesha ooze that in spades. But they aren’t dry, pointy-head policy analysts; they’re both lively, enjoyable broadcasters, equally at home doing breaking news as they are hosting in-depth conversations with news-makers.

“As the political temperature turns up around the country, they’re the perfect presenters to cover all the latest developments at home and around the world every weekday lunchtime.”

A new presenter will be announced shortly to take over Ayesha’s existing weekend Drive shows on Times Radio until the end of the summer.

The new line up begins broadcasting on Monday, 20th May and runs through to the start of September.