Radio Two signs Depp and Kilmer for autumn season

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 26-Aug-05, 11:00

LONDON – Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and Val Kilmer have been signed up to host shows on BBC Radio Two this autumn joining the returning Chris Evans.

Depp, who recently starred in the Tim Burton remake of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', will present a profile on tragic Hollywood star James Dean on September 27, to mark the 50th anniversary of his death in 1955.

'Alexander' and 'Top Gun' star Kilmer will profile star of the 'Godfather' trilogy Marlon Brando the following week.

Evans, whose return was announced in July, is making his return to the BBC after famously quitting his Radio 1 breakfast show in 1997 and joining Virgin shortly after.

He will host a three-hour Saturday afternoon show from 2pm to 5pm on BBC Radio 2, joining Jonathan Ross and Terry Wogan.

DJ and 'Big Brother' presenter Dermot O'Leary who was displaced by Evans' signing has been handed the 5pm to 7pm Saturday slot on the station.

From September 17, O'Leary will host a show introducing new artists breaking onto the music scene with guests Alterkicks and Foo Fighters already lined up.

There will also be a Paul McCartney special recorded in studio two in Abbey Road, where The Beatles recorded most of their tracks.

McCartney talks to Radio Two's Mark Radcliffe about his songwriting history from his very first beatles song to the creation of his new album Chaos & Creation in the Backyard.

Other highlights include perma-tanned presenter Dale Winton returning with a new run of Pick of the Pops and 'The Likes of Us', the premiere of the first musical collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum.