Ed Miliband is to return as a stand-in host of BBC Radio 2’s Jeremy Vineshow, as part of his continued push into the world of broadcasting.

The former Labour leader also hosts a successful podcast called Reasons to be Cheerful with the former Absolute Radio presenter Geoff Lloyd.

His stint as the show’s host last summer was notable for a discussion of lavatories in which the Doncaster North MP asked: “Do you have a vintage toilet you’d be willing to flush live on air?”

He also interviewed his brother, David Miliband, with whom he fought it out for the Labour leadership, about refugees.

Miliband has transformed his image since losing the 2015 general election, and is now known for his witty Twitter put-downs and miming to Take on Me by A-ha while eating a bacon sandwich on the late-night talk show The Last Leg.

“I’m very flattered to have been asked back to present Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show,” Miliband said. “My death metal career has really taken off since my performance with Napalm Death on the show last year, but I wanted to give something back to the place where it all began.”

Miliband will host the programme for three days from Monday 9 July before handing over to the former Conservative leader Michael Howard. 

Howard, who was once asked the same question at least 12 times by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight, said he was looking forward to the chance to turn the tables. “As a young man I was offered the opportunity of becoming a disc jockey in the United States, which I regret to say I turned down. Now at last I can fulfil that ambition, as well as seeing what it’s like to be the journalist who forces politicians to answer the questions,” he said.

The Jeremy Vine show is the biggest current affairs programme on the BBCand attracts a weekly audience of 7.4 million listeners to its midday-2pm slot.

Jeremy Vine recently agreed to take a pay cut to remain the show’s host, but has signed up as the new presenter of Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, which will necessitate a daily cross-London dash.

Phil Jones, the Jeremy Vine show’s editor, said: “Political coverage is the bedrock of the programme and this is a sign of how important politics is to BBC Radio 2, especially at such a key time in the nation’s history.

“Each day we will cover the big stories that affect our listeners, and continue to inform, educate and entertain the Radio 2 audience.”