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One of the South of England's best-known voices will be back on air next month as Debbie Thrower joins the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Solent team.

In a return to her broadcasting roots, former TV news presenter Debbie will be presenting live on Radio Solent.

She will host the early breakfast show from Thursday 13 to Thursday 20 August, and the afternoon programme from Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September.

Returning to Radio Solent is a bit of coming home for Debbie who used to read the news and put together the station's breakfast show 25 years ago.

Since then she's fronted her own show on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 2 on weekday afternoons and been a regular host on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 programmes Sunday and the phone-in Call Debbie Thrower.

"It's a bit of a shock to the system getting up for a 5am show start... but I'm really looking forward to being back," said Debbie, who most recently fronted the region's ITV evening news programme.

"I'm used to peaking at six, just not six am!" she said, "Though plenty of people are working through the night or getting up for their own early shifts whether at work or with a family so I'm going to be in good company."

Debbie, who is married to conservationist, Peter, has two teenage children and lives near Winchester.

The Solent area has been her "patch" for many years since she moved there after her initial break in broadcasting at ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Leicester.

Debbie says: "Radio was my first love and I have great affection for my old station. It will be terrific to be back behind the mic giving listeners, I hope, a bright and cheerful start to their day.

"It is also great to be on air again in the afternoons offering some thought-provoking chat. I loved broadcasting at that time of day when I was on Radio 2."

Radio Solent's Managing Editor Chris Carnegy commented: "I'm delighted to welcome Debbie back to ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Solent.

"She brings a wealth of local knowledge and broadcasting experience, and is known throughout the region for her ability to relate to people and for the warmth of her personality.

"I hope we'll hear more of her in the months ahead."

Catch Debbie: on the early breakfast show, 5.00-6.30am, weekdays, Thursday 13 to Thursday 20 August; and weekday afternoons, 1.00-4.00pm, 31 August to 4 September; on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Solent, 96.1 & 103.8 FM and online.

HB