Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman to step down from Radio 2 show, with Romesh Ranganathan taking over
Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman is stepping down from her Radio 2 show, and will be replaced by comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
Winkleman, who has presented the Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2 for nearly three years, announced the news on air today (December 2).
Her last show will be in March 2024 – and she'll be replaced by Ranganathan in the 10am-1pm slot.
In a statement, the Traitors star said: "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."
Related: The Traitors' Claudia Winkleman recalls moment producer had to step in
Winkleman went on to explain that she was stepping down to spend more time with her family.
"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."
Related: Claudia Winkleman's son begs mum to quit "embarrassing" Strictly role
Ranganathan also expressed his excitement at taking over the slot.
"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," he said.
"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."
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