Favourite comedian reveals why he is quitting stand-up touring – just a month after announcing he is stepping down from radio show

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By KIRSTEN MURRAY FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 10:49 GMT, 20 March 2025 | Updated: 10:49 GMT, 20 March 2025

One of the UK’s favourite comedian’s Rob Beckett has revealed why he is quitting stand up touring after his upcoming show Giraffe. 

The funnyman’s career has soared in recent years after his successful show with fellow comedian Romesh Raganathan as well as his tour and regular appearances on panel shows. 

Rob, 39, hosted the TV BAFTAs with Romesh last year and also took part in the celebrity Christmas special of Gladiators last year. 

However Rob has admitted his plans to step back from stand-up tours as he prioritises time with his children. 

The father of two, who shares daughters with his wife Louise, told The Sun: ‘I’ll still do stand up and local clubs and charity gigs but I’m going to take a break from touring until the kids are 16/17.

‘Then I’ll do a big tour when they’re sixth form and when they go to Uni, me and Lou are going to spend Feb and March in Australia bumming around.’

Favourite comedian Rob Beckett has revealed why he is quitting stand-up touring – just a month after announcing he is stepping down from radio show

The father of two, who shares daughters with his wife Louise, said: ‘ I’ll still do stand up and local clubs and charity gigs but I’m going to take a break from touring until the kids are 16/17’

Revealing another of his ambitions for the future he added: ‘When I’m 50 I want to do a psychology degree.’

While Rob keeps the names and identities of his daughters private, the star is incredibly open about the highs and lows of parenthood on his podcast Parenting Hell with co-host Josh Widdecombe. 

His latest career update comes after Rob also announced last month he has quit Radio 2. 

The star, who took over from Paul O’Grady after he stepped down in 2022, will broadcast his last Sunday afternoon show in April. 

Following a schedule shake-up, which saw him regularly swapping with Rob, Paul quit in August 2022 when he was told to share his duties with a younger presenter.

He admitted at the time that he left the station because he ‘wasn’t really happy with the 13 weeks on, 13 weeks off business’.

It came after a push by Radio 2 to attract younger listeners by recruiting younger talent sparked an ageism row and triggered an exodus of older talent including Ken Bruce.

Rob has been hosting the 5pm-7pm slot every week since and although he will be stepping away from the show, he will remain part of the BBC Radio 2 family. 

Rob, 39, hosted the TV BAFTAs with Romesh Ranganathan last May (pictured) and also took part in the celebrity Christmas special of Gladiators

His latest career update comes after Rob also announced last month he has quit Radio 2 (pictured on Gladiators) 

He explained: ‘I’ve had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners, but as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I’ve decided to step away from a weekly show. 

‘But you won’t get away from me that easily as I’ll be back presenting shows on Radio 2 later in the year when normal service is resumed!’  

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: ‘I’d like to thank Rob for his brilliant work every Sunday evening. He’ll stay within the Radio 2 family and will be heard on the station at a later date.’

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Favourite comedian reveals why he is quitting stand-up touring – just a month after announcing he is stepping down from radio show

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