Nigel Farage makes his debut as an LBC radio host tonight (9 January) at 7pm – you can listen in on 97.3FM, DAB digital radio or online.

Farage has featured as a guest presenter on the network many times, though it still took the media and political spheres by surprise when he, last week, announced he had taken up a regular spot. The show will run for an hour from 7pm on Mondays through Thursdays.

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Fears that the former UKIP leader may have been tamed by his association with a mainstream broadcaster were put to bed in a promotional video released this afternoon – just hours before the first show. In it Farage takes Lily Allen to task for posting a clandestine picture of himself and Rupert Murdoch chatting at a garden party. "I think she's lost her marbles," he says.

Farage's new colleague Ian Dent said on Twitter today said he was " proud to be the 52-year-olds "warm-up act". James Rea, LBC's managing editor, said: "With Brexit and the inauguration of President-elect Trump, Nigel Farage is the man at the centre of the two biggest stories this year. He is a powerful communicator and has proved himself as a natural broadcaster."

Critics have questioned how he will balance his new job with ongoing commitments as a member a of the European Parliament for South East England. A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "Shouldn't he be, you know, turning up to his office in the European Parliament? If not maybe he could donate his MEP salary to the NHS?"

Listen live to Farage's debut here.

Nigel Farage Rupert Murdoch