Claudia Winkleman has been left "speechless" after landing the prestigious Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2.
Claudia Winkleman
The 'Strictly Come Dancing' presenter is to take over the 10am-1pm slot which Graham Norton will vacate later this year and she admitted it is a "privilege and an honour" to have been given the job.
She said: "I’m not often speechless but the chance to be with the wonderful Radio 2 listeners every Saturday has left me, quite frankly, gobsmacked. 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. There’s nobody I’d rather be with at the weekend, it’s a privilege and an honour.”
And station bosses are "over the moon" with their new regular presenter.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: “As Claudia is one of the UK’s best loved entertainers and a firm favourite with our listeners, I’m over the moon that she’ll be bringing her enormous warmth and wit to Saturday mornings on Radio 2.”
The 48-year-old star - who will make her debut in the slot in February 2021 - is a familiar voice to listeners as she first joined Radio 2 in 2008 to host comedy quiz show 'Hot Gossip', before moving into a Friday night slot for 'Claudia Winkleman Arts Show'.
As well as deputising for Ken Bruce, Steve Wright and Sara Cox on their weekday shows, Claudia has also most recently presented 'Claudia on Sunday' in the 7-9pm slot.
The news of her appointment comes shortly after Graham announced he will step down on 19 December after 10 years with the station.
He said recently: "Obviously I'm sad to be stepping away from my Radio 2 show.
"I'll miss being a part of the Wogan House family, as well as the listeners and their lives. I'd like to thank my producer Malcolm Prince and all the teams I've worked with for a great decade of radio.
"Happily with the chat show, Eurovision and 'Drag Race' the BBC continues to be my perfect TV home."
It was later announced that the 'Drag Race UK' judge will host Virgin Radio's flagship weekend show on Saturdays and Sundays in 2021.
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