Claudia Winkleman will replace Graham Norton as host of BBC Radio 2’s Saturday morning slot, it was announced on Monday.
The Strictly Come Dancing presenter, 48, confirmed on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Monday morning that she would be taking over the position from February, which will see her host it between 10am and 1pm.
Taking to Instagram to gush about the news, Claudia said she was ‘gobsmacked’ to have gotten the role and felt she had big shoes to fill.
Exciting: Claudia Winkleman is set to replace Graham Norton as host of BBC Radio 2’s Saturday morning show as star said on Monday she’s ‘gobsmacked’ about getting role
Claudia said in a statement: ‘I’m not often speechless but the chance to be with the wonderful Radio 2 listeners every Saturday has left me, quite frankly, gobsmacked.’
Sharing another post with her reaction, Claudia said she was ‘thrilled’ and ‘terrified’ as she joked ‘enormous shoes to fill. Send socks.’
Graham has hosted the slot between 10am and 1pm for 10 years, and is set to depart the position in December.
He is now set to join Virgin Radio UK, and will present a new show on Saturdays and Sundays with them.
Time to move on: Graham has hosted the slot between 10am and 1pm for 10 years, and is set to depart the position in December and will now host a weekend slot with Virgin Radio UK
Coming soon: The Strictly Come Dancing presenter confirmed on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Monday morning that she would be taking over the position from February
Claudia’s predecessor Graham shared his well wishes via Twitter, as he wrote: ‘Congratulations @ClaudiaWinkle You’ll love it!! Welcome to BBC Radio 2 Saturday mornings!! (sic)’
While Drivetime host Sara Cox said it was the ‘BEST news’, and gushed: ‘as a massive fan of Graham I was a little wibbly of belly about who was taking over his sat morning @BBCRadio2 show so absolutely over the moon & thrice round Uranus that it’s Claudia Winkles’
She added that Claudia was ‘funny, very smart, witty, great interviewer’ and this made her the ‘perfect choice’ for the role.
After news of her new role was revealed, Claudia joked: ‘I hope my voice comes back in time for the first show as I can no longer simply rely on a fake tan and a fringe.’
Nervous: Sharing another post with her reaction, Claudia said she was ‘thrilled’ and ‘terrified’ as she joked ‘enormous shoes to fill. Send socks’
Delighted: Claudia’s predecessor Graham shared his well wishes via Twitter, as he wrote: ‘Congratulations @ClaudiaWinkle You’ll love it’
Sweet: Drivetime host Sara Cox said it was the ‘BEST news’, and gushed that Claudia was ‘funny, very smart, witty, great interviewer’ and this made her the ‘perfect choice’ for the role
Fans were delighted by the news, as they took to Twitter to share their glee over the replacement announcement.
One person gushed: ‘Fantastic news!!!! What a PERFECT replacement! It will be wonderful to hear @ClaudiaWinkle back on @BBCRadio2!! (sic)’
While another said: ‘This is brilliant news. Huge fan of Claudia Winkleman on the BBC.’
A fan also reflected on Graham’s departure from the radio show, as they said: ‘Sad that Graham Norton is leaving Radio 2 , but can’t wait to hear Claudia Winkleman in the slot – excellent choice.’
Ecstatic: Fans were delighted by the news, as they took to Twitter to share their glee over the replacement announcement
Earlier this month, Graham shared a statement about his departure and said he was ‘surprised’ to be joining Virgin Radio as he was ‘content’ where he was, but didn’t want to miss out on hosting weekend shows.
Graham said: ‘I am excited and a little surprised to be joining Virgin Radio UK in 2021.
‘I was very content where I was but the opportunity to host shows across the weekend seemed too good to miss out on.
‘Plus the energy and enthusiasm at Virgin Radio are infectious and I can’t wait to get started! Did I mention the studios are very close to my house?’
New guard: Earlier this month, Graham announced he would be joining Virgin Radio UK for a new flagship show after revealing his decision to depart BBC Radio 2
Virgin Radio UK content director Mike Cass added: ‘Graham Norton is one of very few truly unique talents in broadcasting. I’m delighted to be welcoming him to the Virgin Radio family in the new year.
‘He’ll be bringing double the wit, double the banter and double the love across Saturday and Sunday.’
Graham will present his last programme on Saturday December 19th 2020.
The star had hinted last year that he was keen to strip back his workload, although had suggested it could have been a reduction of his television commitments.
Golden opportunity: In a statement, Graham said he was ‘surprised’ to be joining the network as he was ‘content’ where he was, but didn’t want to miss out on hosting weekend shows
He told SiriusXm in September, 2019: ‘We are on air right now 35 to 36 weeks a year. So if I cut that down, maybe lob ten weeks off it, then I think that would be ideal.
‘What I might try to do is just cut back on my workload.’
Graham joined Radio 2 in October 2010 to host the Saturday morning slot, taking over from Jonathan Ross.
The presenter’s decision to step down from his BBC radio job will not affect his hugely popular BBC1 staple, The Graham Norton Show.
Head of Radio 2 Helen Thomas praised Graham as she shared: ‘For the past decade, Graham has made Saturday mornings his own on Radio 2.
‘His sparkling interviews, as well as his brilliant shows from the Eurovision host city each May, have kept millions of listeners entertained each week.
‘On behalf of the Radio 2 listeners, and everyone in Wogan House, we’d like to thank him and wish him the very best of luck for the future.’
The day job: The presenter’s decision to step down from his BBC radio job will not affect his hugely popular BBC1 staple, The Graham Norton Show