Lucio takes over from Neil Francis at Absolute

The former 95.8 Capital DJ Lucio is to join Absolute Radio, replacing the station's long-serving presenter, Neil Francis. Lucio Buffone, a former host of the now defunct Hit40UK , will present the Absolute 80s show on Friday evenings and the Saturday early breakfast show. Both are currently presented by Francis, who will leave the station at the end of this month. The veteran presenter – also a former Capital DJ – Francis joined Absolute when it was still called Virgin Radio in 2002. Absolute Radio's chief operating officer, Clive Dickens, said he played a "vital role" in the station's transformation from Virgin to Absolute. Buffone has previously presented at Capital and Xfm, both in London, and the Birmingham rock station Kerrang!, where he won a Sony gold award for best daily music show in 2005 . He has guest presented on Absolute for the past three months and will begin his two new shows on the Easter weekend. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".