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Alfie Joey and Charlie Charlton are to host the breakfast show on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Newcastle.

From May 2009, Alfie, who currently presents afternoons on the station, will be setting his alarm clock a few hours earlier.

He will be joined by Charlie, who has worked on the 6.30-10.00am breakfast show for five years as a newsreader.

Alfie said: "I cannot wait. I'm looking forward to working with Charlie. It's exciting working with someone else and there's a chance to develop a real chemistry. It will be a challenge because there's a lot to think about, but it's going to be fun!"

Charlie, who is Gateshead born and bred, said: "Alfie is one of the most fascinating people I've met and, as a journalist in the North East, I've met an awful lot of people, so that's saying something! He's got a genuine warmth to him, he's a fantastic broadcaster and he tells great stories!"

Radio Newcastle Managing Editor Andrew Robson said: "I am delighted that Alfie and Charlie are taking on the challenge of waking up the North East every day. They are two extremely talented North East characters and I'm really looking forward to hearing them on air together."

Current breakfast host Mike Parr is due to head back to his roots in Cumbria, where he will take up the reins hosting ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Cumbria's breakfast show.

Mike said: "It's been a very difficult decision for me to make as I have loved my time living and working in the North East, but the opportunity to move home doesn't come along too often and I had to take it."

The search is now on for a new Radio Newcastle afternoon presenter to fill Alfie Joey's show.

Alfie and Charlie will also be covering the breakfast show for several weeks over the coming months when Mike is on holiday.

HH2