Lawley walks….

I rarely get chance to listen to Desert Island Discs, having always aired when I’m at work, but I always enjoyed it when I caught upon the dulcet tones of Sue Lawley as she quizzed her castaways.

Of course the show is heavily dependent on the caliber and attitude of the guest, but Lawley was always great, nonetheless.

It is sad then, that today she has announced she will present her last show in August.

The race for her replacement is discussed on Guardian Unlimited, personally I would go for the delightful, and strangely compelling, Fi Glover: -

Andrew Marr
One of the BBC’s biggest talents is under-used with his Sunday AM show and Radio 4’s Start the Week. Marr has the interviewing credentials, an amiable delivery and is adept at doing highbrow without pomposity and populism without patronising.

Jonathan Dimbleby
Dimbleby is leaving his ITV Sunday show after 10 years when the current run ends in May. He is a heavyweight interviewer but could he tease out the interesting snippets from more populist guests?

Jeremy Paxman
The Newsnight presenter is rumoured to fancy the job, but would he be able to rein in his muscular interrogation technique and would guests be put off by his hard-man reputation?

Sue MacGregor
Left the Today programme in 2002 after 18 years. MacGregor, the consummate broadcaster, has both hard edge and common touch. She presents Radio 4’s A Good Read and The Reunion but Radio 4 listeners would be happy to hear more of her.

Fi Glover
Currently on maternity leave from Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, the BBC has struggled to find a niche for her since her days on Radio 5 Live. Could be considered not heavyweight enough.