Claudia Winkleman QUITS her BBC Radio 2 show after 15 years to spend more time with her children as Romesh Ranganathan takes over
Claudia Winkleman has announced she will be quitting her BBC Radio 2 show after 15 years on air, with Romesh Ranganathan set to take over.
The presenter, 51, shared the news with her listeners during Saturday’s show admitting she wishes to spend more time with her children.
She shares Jake, 19, Matilda, 15, and Arthur, 10, with her film producer partner, Kris Thykier, 50, who she married in 2000.
Claudia’s final show will broadcast in March, after which she will be replaced by Romesh from April.
The media personality explained how it had been an ‘absolute privilege’ to host the show as she thanked her listeners.
Claudia Winkleman, 51, has announced she will be quitting her BBC Radio 2 show after 15 years on air, with Romesh Ranganathan set to take over
The presenter shared the news with her listeners during Saturday’s show admitting she wishes to spend more time with her daughter (pictured in 2017)
She began: ‘I would love to share mind, firstly, I’m going to say it out loud and with vim, I love Radio 2.’
‘It is an absolute privilege to be here every Saturday, chatting to amazing guests, being with Sally and mainly read your fantastic messages.
‘But here’s the thing and it is such a boring cliché so I apologise. Time is going too fast. My daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was 3 about 5 minutes ago.
‘I still have a little one who wants to be with me. I don’t know how long that will last and I just need to be at home more.
‘So my news at 10 is that I am leaving – but I have two pieces of exceptional news. One – the person taking over is one of the funniest and smartest people on earth.
‘We are going to love listening to him every Saturday at 10. Think of this if you will as an early Christmas present.
‘The one and only Romesh Ranganathan is going to be here from April and he is majestic.
‘Number two, the second piece of good news, is before I leave in March the bosses have said I can play, and I’m unapologetic about this, an obscene amount of this.’
She shares Jake, 19, Matilda, 15, and Arthur, 10, with her film producer partner, Kris Thykier, 50, who she married in 2000 (Matilda and Kris pictured in 2013)
She went on to play Oasis’ hit track You Gotta Roll With it.
In a press release Claudia added: ‘I absolutely love Radio 2 and it’s been a privilege to host the Saturday morning show for three years. I will miss our amazing guests, our brilliant listeners and the one and only Sally Traffic.
‘The truth is my children are growing up inordinately fast so I have decided to follow them around at home before they leave for good.
‘I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who works on the show, I will continue to visit with badly made biscuits and will pester the bosses to present the odd special.
‘I couldn’t be happier that Romesh is taking over Saturday mornings on Radio 2. He is brilliantly laugh out loud funny, and I’ll listen every single week as my kids beg me to leave them alone.’
Romesh added: ‘In my many years working as a maths teacher thinking “what would happen if I gave this up”, I never imagined I’d be sandwiched between Dermot O’Leary and Steve Wright on the UK’s most popular radio station every Saturday morning.
‘I’m grateful to Claud for wanting to spend more time with her kids, and enabling me to spend less time with mine, and I look forward to finding out what the nation is up to at that time, as well as speaking to some familiar faces. It’s going to be fun. Probably.’
Romesh currently hosts For The Love of Hip-Hop on BBC Radio 2.
Back in September, Claudia admitted her husband Kris is a better parent to their three children than her as she juggles hosting duties on Strictly Come Dancing, mystery series The Traitors and music show The Piano.
Although she loves being at home with her family, the star admitted it’s a delicate balancing act along with her duties at work.
Back in September, Claudia admitted her husband Kris is a better parent to their three children than her as she juggles hosting duties (pictured in March 2022)
Although she loves being at home with her family, the star admitted it’s a delicate balancing act along with her duties at work (Kris pictured with his and Claudia’s son Jake)
‘Luckily my husband is a better parent than me,’ she joked to the Daily Mirror.
While she has found success as the host of three of the biggest shows on TV, Claudia remains humble and insisted it’s all down to good luck.
She said: ‘The Traitors and Strictly and The Piano are so strong anybody could host them. We all know it. But I’m lucky enough that I’m there. That’s the truth.
‘It doesn’t mean I’m not unbelievably grateful, but it’s just as luck would have it I’ve fallen into them.’
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