Claudia Winkleman replaces Graham Norton as host of BBC Radio 2’s Saturday morning show – and says she’s ‘gobsmacked’ at getting the role
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, 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
Nervous: Sharing another post with her reaction, Claudia said she was ‘thrilled’ and ‘terrified’ as she joked ‘enormous shoes to fill. Send socks’
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.’
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.’