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From next month, Smith will take over from Colin Martin as Radio 2's head of music, giving him overall responsibility for the output of the UK's most popular radio station.

'Colin Martin is a very hard act to follow but I have no doubt that Jeff's love of music, industry experience and recent role at Napster puts him in a unique position to move Radio 2 forward,' said Lesley Douglas, controller of both Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music.

Smith said that he was tremendously excited by the new opportunity.

'Technology is transforming our industry, and I look forward to working with the music industry and my colleagues at Radio 2 to engage our listeners in the very best music in innovative new ways,' he said.

Before joining Napster in 2004, Smith had worked at Capital Radio and Radio 1, where he was responsible for putting Chris Moyles, Jo Whiley, Trevor Nelson, Stuart Maconie and Steve Lamacq on the air.