Cover blown in schedule shake-up

THE BBC Radio Scotland book programme, Cover Stories, is to be absorbed into the station’s daily, Radio Cafe arts strand, as part of changes to the lunchtime schedule that includes the return of former phone-in host, Lesley Riddoch.

Riddoch’s return – in May – was always going to lead to the demise of the Cafe’s Friday slot, meaning its main subject matter – movies – having to be moved to the Thursday programme.

And to compensate for the loss of Cover Stories, Monday’s Radio Cafe is to concentrate on books.

What’s more, Highland listeners will have their own version of the Radio Cafe on a Wednesday, which has been set aside to report on the year-long celebration of all things Highland that is otherwise known as the Highland 2007 festival.