Iggy Pop to take BBC 6 Music hiatus to focus on music with Jarvis Cocker to takeover his slot
After 12 years on the airwaves, Iggy Pop has announced he will be taking a hiatus from BBC 6 Music.
The rock icon’s current slot on the station, which airs on Sundays between 4pm to 6pm, will be taken over by Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker throughout 2026, keeping Iggy’s seat warm before he plans to return in 2027.
Cocker also has a strong history with BBC 6 Music, having hosted his Sunday Service broadcast between 2010 and 2017.
After he departed in 2017, Cocker said, “It’s not goodbye, it’s just farewell,” and now, almost a decade later, the Pulp frontman will return to the airwaves from April 5th.
Iggy’s reason for his break is to allow him to focus on his upcoming music projects. He said in a statement, “The news is true, after 12 years at 6 Music I’m going to be taking a break for a while. I’ve got some other stuff I’ve got to do but I’ll be back. I’m pleased to say Jarvis has agreed to return to the station for a year as my cover – cool, thanks Jarvis.”
Meanwhile, Cocker said of his return, “Why am I returning to 6 Music? Well…….. I’m looking forward to working for the greatest independent radio station in the world once more. When you’re asked to look after Iggy’s show, are you really going to say no?”
Cocker added, “I’m looking forward to discovering lots of great new music. But mostly: I miss you. Tune in from April 5th. That’s an order.”
Additionally, the BBC 6 Music weekend line-up has also been bolstered by the Gossip’s Beth Ditto, who will have a new show between 10am to 1pm, which begins on April 4th.
In other BBC 6 Music news, earlier this week it was confirmed that Courtney Barnett, Bloc Party, The Horrors, Yard Act, and Kelly Lee Owens are among the line-up for the next edition of BBC 6 Music Festival next month.
The four-day event will run across independent venues, including Band on the Wall and YES, in Manchester from March 25th to March 28th.
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