Samantha Barks is heading to the airwaves, with the acclaimed West End and Broadway star set to host a brand-new Saturday afternoon show on Heart Musicals.
Beginning every Saturday from 12pm to 3pm, Samantha will bring her passion for musical theatre to listeners, playing some of the biggest songs from the stage and screen while sharing the stories, memories and personal connections behind some of her favourite musical numbers.
The new show will see Barks, whose career has included starring roles in Les Misérables, Frozen and Cabaret, celebrate the very best of West End, Broadway and movie musicals, alongside exclusive Heart Musicals Acoustic performances featuring intimate, stripped-back versions of iconic songs.
Listeners will also get the chance to get involved through a brand-new feature, ‘First, Last, Fave’, which will see Barks chat to listeners about the first musical they ever saw, the most recent one they watched and the show that remains their all-time favourite.
The announcement comes at an exciting time for Samantha, who was recently revealed at Disney’s D23 Fan Event as part of the cast of The Greatest Showman, the new musical adaptation heading to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Spring 2027.
Speaking about her new radio role, Barks said the show would be a place for musical theatre fans to come together and indulge their love of all things “stagey”.
“We’re going to be doing this every Saturday 12 till 3 and if you love musicals as much as me, then make sure you’re with me every weekend!” she said.
“We’ll hear from the stars, bring you the latest musical theatre news and have loads of your messages throughout the show too! I really want to hear from you guys and I want this to be our show. Our stagey little corner where we can be musical nerds together.”
For Samantha, the move to radio offers another opportunity to share her enthusiasm for musical theatre away from the stage, while giving Heart Musicals listeners a chance to hear directly from one of the genre’s most recognisable performers.
Richard Steel, Managing Editor of Heart, said: “I’m hugely excited to welcome Samantha to the Heart team! She’s an incredible talent, a proper star on stage and screen, and someone our audience already loves.
“Her new Saturday show is going to become a real appointment to listen for musical theatre fans, and I can’t wait to hear her bring her personality, stories and genuine love of musicals to Heart every weekend.
“Plus, our team karaoke nights have just stepped up a notch!”
Barks’ new show joins Heart Musicals’ line-up dedicated to the biggest showstopping songs from the world’s greatest stage and screen musicals.
Fans can listen to Heart Musicals on DAB and via Global Player.
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