Jarvis to host Sunday music show

Jarvis Cocker has already clocked up a host of broadcast experience

Musician Jarvis Cocker is to host the Sunday afternoon slot on BBC 6 Music from the New Year.

The former Pulp frontman, who has previously broadcast on Radio 2 and guest edited the Today programme, takes over from Stephen Merchant.

Cocker said his two-hour show would be filled with "hare-brained schemes and beautiful, beautiful music".

He is also planning a London residency, playing along to yoga classes and hosting jam sessions with his fans.

'Great honour'

In May, the singer took over an art gallery in Paris in which members of the public performed with him and his musicians.

The follow-up event is due to take place next month, culminating in a concert which will be broadcast live on the internet from the Village Underground in east London.

Cocker said that his new 6 Music mid-afternoon show is a "dream slot".

Jarvis Cocker performed in Paris for several hours a day

"It's that weird time when one week's effectively over and yet the new one's not yet begun - the 'limbo-hours' if you like.

"It is my intention to fill these hours with as much dodgy opinion, crackpot theories, hare-brained schemes & beautiful, beautiful music as is humanly possible.

"It's a great honour to be working for the BBC, which I consider to be the greatest broadcaster in the world," he added.

Bob Shennan, controller of 6 Music and Radio 2, said: "Jarvis just loves music. He's an iconic figure so he's perfect for Sundays on 6 Music."

Cocker joins a roster of presenters with a music background, including Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, Cerys Matthews and Tom Robinson.