The Easter weekend is a prime opportunity for regular radio presenters to take a step out of the spotlight and into the sun for some rest and relaxation. But their stand-in presenters can be left to face the disappointment of an audience devoted to their favourite host. What are the challenges facing stand-ins and how do they overcome them? Lewis Carnie, the head of Radio 2 programmes, discusses how Sara Cox and Zoe Ball have filled in for leading men Chris Evans and Ken Bruce.

The spring breaks also produced trials for users of the BBC Radio iPlayer. As listeners got heavily engrossed in hair-raising dramas and eye-opening documentaries - they were left hanging mid-sentence as iPlayer Radio failed to give them the last few minutes of the programme. The General Manager for Audience Facing Services at BBC Future Media, Andrew Scott, clarifies what happened and how he is working to prevent future failings.

And in the election campaign coverage, BBC local radio has launched a series of 170 debates taking place across the country. David Holdsworth, the controller of English Regions, explains why issues affecting smaller communities are still key to political coverage. Station Editor David Harvey outlines how Radio Cambridgeshire is reflecting its listeners' main concerns. And, behind the scenes at BBC Essex's first local debate, producer Mark Syred lets listeners shine a light on what they see as the biggest question in their community.


Producer: Karen Pirie
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4.