FORMER Taunton journalist Matt Chorley is set to launch a brand-new politics show on BBC Radio 5 Live.

The exciting development comes as part of some significant amendments made to the broadcaster's daytime schedule on 5 Live.

Starting today (Tuesday, September 2), the show will broadcast every weekday, Monday Friday, from 2pm to 4pm.

The addition of Mr Chorley, the award-winning presenter, author, and stand-up comedian to the line-up arrives in a crucial year for UK and international politics.

The new show aims to give a fresh slant to national political commentary, hitting straight to issues of UK politics, from housing and healthcare to education and environment, without any fuss or favour.

It will also host a diverse range of guests such as MPs, elected mayors, cabinet ministers, and others to discuss the most urgent political issues and their impact on local communities.

Following the announcement of his new show, Matt Chorley said: "I can’t quite believe it.

"It’s exactly 20 years since this Somerset boy arrived in London with his three A Levels, 100 words per minute shorthand, a vast collection of Elton John records and a dream.

"Over the years I’ve been able to interview at least six of the people who’ve spent varying amounts of time as prime minister, and plenty more who have tried.

"Now I can’t wait to also hear from the people with better stories, ideas and jokes - the 5 Live audience.

"Bringing them into the heart of Westminster, and getting out across the whole country, to tell the story of what Britain wants, and how it might get it."

Mr Chorley was brought up on the Somerset Levels and attended Richard Huish College in Taunton.

He started his career at the Taunton Times, a now-defunct newspaper, before joining PA as a parliamentary reporter. He previously hosted a politics show on Times Radio.

The rest of the BBC Radio 5 Live daytime line-up will see changes too.

The mid-morning broadcasts will now be presented by Naga Munchetty on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and Adrian Chiles on Thursdays, all running for an extended three hours, from 11am to 2pm.

Exciting extras also shift in the new schedule; the liked 'Must Watch' segment, previously part of Nihal Arthanayake’s programme, will move to Ms Munchetty's show at 1pm on Mondays.

While Mr Chiles' Thursday show will be spiced up with finance insights, as Martin Lewis comes on board to give money saving advice, also at 1pm.

Known as 'The Voice of the UK', BBC Radio 5 Live is dedicated to bring varied opinions and compelling news stories to its audience.