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Digital radio station ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 6 Music is set to let some celebrity music fans loose on the airwaves in a series of takeovers celebrating the music fan in everyone.

Top Gear's James May, The Wright Stuff presenter and former Mirror columnist Matthew Wright, The Sun's Bizarre editor Gordon Smart and Channel 4's Ruth Watson are all taking to the decks to showcase the passion and knowledge they have for the music they love.

First in the DJ hot seat is Gordon Smart. On Thursday 22 April (6-7pm) Gordon takes over from Steve Lamacq to present Roundtable where he will preside over a roundtable discussion with three guests to review some of this week's latest releases.

On his presenting debut Gordon says: "I've always been a big fan of Roundtable on 6 Music. I've been lucky enough to be asked on as a guest with Steve Lamacq before, so it's a real honour to get a chance to host the gig myself. When I was last on we talked about an unknown band called Glasvegas and they've done alright for themselves since then.

"Some great music is lined up and we've got three excellent guests. I can't wait to give this radio caper a good crack."

James May takes over the radio presenting mantel next as he takes over the Friday Night Rock Show (23 April 9-12midnight) from Bruce Dickinson, for one night only. The Top Gear petrolhead and classical music fan will unleash his love of classic rock, playing the likes of AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Guns 'n' Roses, King Crimson, Jethro Tull and The Stooges.

James is looking forward to the experience: "I've never had a whole radio show to myself and I'm very much looking forward to inflicting the soundtrack of my youth on the nation."

Ruth Watson, star of Channel 4's Country House Rescue and Ruth Watson's Hotel Rescue then stages a takeover of Craig Charles' Funk & Soul Show on Saturday 24 April (7-10pm). Ruth is a massive fan of funk and soul music.

She says: "It's such a thrill to be given the chance to stand in for Craig and I can't wait to play some of my own favourite tunes."

Finally, television presenter Matthew Wright unleashes his freakier side on the nation as he takes over presenting duties from Stuart Maconie to step into the Freak Zone on Sunday 25 April (6-8pm).

Matthew, who has previously presented on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 2, is a fan of all things esoteric in the musical universe and is looking forward to playing a selection from his record collection:

He says: "I think some listeners will find my choices surprising. Others might find them alarming! People naturally make assumptions about you when you work in TV - they think they know the real you. Well, we'll see!

"I can't wait! Doing the Freak Zone will give me the chance to show there's more to Matthew Wright than the camp, gurning fool you can see on The Wright Stuff!"

Paul Rodgers, Editor ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 6 Music says: "Celebrity takeovers are fairly commonplace in radio, but at 6 Music, we wanted to add a bit more of a challenge to the usual celebrity plus a bunch of songs format. We wanted to find people who were able to demonstrate their passion and knowledge about music on our specialist music shows. Quite a tall order but having seen the music our celebrity guests plan to play, I think listeners will be impressed."

The full schedule of 6 Music takeovers:

Thursday 22 April – Gordon Smart chairs Roundtable (6-7pm)
Friday 23 April – James May presents the Rock Show (9-12midnight)
Saturday 24 April – Ruth Watson presents The Funk & Soul Show (7-10pm)
Sunday 25 April – Matthew Wright presents the Freak Zone (6-8pm)

Notes to Editors

6 Music received seven nominations in the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2010 for presenters Lauren Laverne (Best Music Programme and Music Radio Personality of the Year), Steve Lamacq and Huey Morgan (Music Broadcaster of the Year) and Adam and Joe (Best Comedy), for Best Station Imaging, and for Steve Levine (Best Programme Contributor). The Sony Radio Academy Awards 2010 take place on Monday 10 May.

CH