Scene and Heard

MUSIC NEWS: Singer, opera composer and champion of African music, Damon Albarn can now add radio presenter to his list of talents.

The Blur frontman will make his debut on the decks tomorrow, covering for regular presenter Dermot O’Leary on his BBC Radio 2 show, which airs at 3pm. Albarn will be joined by an eclectic line-up including actor Idris Elba, Paul Simonon of The Clash, comedian Ken Dodd (yes, he’s still alive) and a Pentecostal Choir.

Albarn’s former rival Noel Gallagher of Oasis previously sat in for O’Leary. However, Blur guitarist Alex James recently said Albarn and Noel Gallagher are “like best mates now”. When asked by radio host Ray D’Arcy who had ultimately won the battle of the bands between Blur and Oasis, James replied: “Ironically Noel and Damon are like best mates now. They go off and smoke cigars together. I think we realised we’re all on the same side eventually.”