DJ Nihal Arthanayake, will take the reins of the BBC Asian
Network phone in (Weekdays 9am-12pm) from May it was announced today.

Nihal, who already presents 'Kicking Off' with Nihal on Saturdays during the football season on the Asian Network and simulcasts his Radio 1 show with Bobby Friction on Tuesday evenings will succeed Anita Rani in the role from Tuesday 8th May.

Anita Rani whom Nihal succeeds on the phone in will be the regular voice on the Asian Network's documentary strand 'The Asian Network Report' (Mondays at 18:30).

Nihal said: "People know me primarily as a music person but I take great interest in issues that affect the Asian community in the 21st
Century. The phone in really gets under the skin of what British Asians are thinking and how that affects what it's like to live in Britain for everybody."

Asian Network Controller Bob Shennan said of the new appointments: "Nihal and Anita are exciting BBC talents with a big future. They will be filling two crucial roles on the network, and bring their energy and insight to the heart of our journalism and debate."

Related link:
Reports: Anita Rani to leave radio talk show