Ex-Radio 2 presenter becomes latest to move to commercial rival with launch of Scala Radio

Simon Mayo is to launch a national classical music radio station, becoming the latest BBC presenter to depart for a commercial rival as the corporation struggles to keep hold of its top talent.

The broadcaster quit Radio 2 at the end of last year after more than three decades with the BBC, following a troubled year sharing his afternoon slot with Jo Whiley in a format that flopped with listeners.

At the time, he insisted he would concentrate on writing novels, but he has now been announced as the mid-morning host and face of Scala Radio, a station designed to have a more casual and youthful approach than its established rivals, with a focus on film scores and work by modern composers alongside the likes of Mozart and Holst.

The station is owned by Bauer Media, which also runs Absolute Radio and Kiss, and is due to launch on 4 March on DAB radio and online, putting it in direct competition with Global Media’s Classic FM and BBC Radio 3.

Mayo said: “There are hundreds of radio stations playing rock and pop, and only two classical music stations – until now. Some of it will be familiar, some new and exciting, but all timeless, beautiful and all absolutely relevant to today.”

Weekend presenters will include the former Madonna producer William Orbit and the drum’n’bass DJ Goldie, who will provide “a narration of his own journey into classical music”. Mayo’s BBC film reviewing partner Mark Kermode will host a weekend programme based on film soundtracks.

Mayo joins a recent exodus of radio talent from the BBC: Radio 4’s Eddie Mair joined LBC and the Radio 2 breakfast show host Chris Evans jumped ship to Rupert Murdoch’s Virgin Radio.

The boom in digital radio listening in cars and on smartphones, aided by the growing popularity of smart speakers such as Amazon’s Echo and Google Home, is prompting listeners to try new outlets. This in turn is bringing hefty investment to the UK digital radio market, pushing up presenter salaries and encouraging the launches of new stations.

The BBC, which still accounts for almost half of radio listening in the UK, is attempting to adapt to a digital future with its BBC Sounds app and investment in podcasts, but has to deal with the publication of the salaries of its most well-paid stars following an edict from the government.

Many leading male presenters were asked to take pay cuts after an outcry over inequality, while others were unsettled by their finances being made public – enabling deep-pocketed commercial rivals to swoop in and make compelling offers.