Graham Norton has left fans in shock as he announced this weekend's show on Virgin Radio UK will be his last. The TV presenter, 60, revealed the news live on air.
Graham made the announcement on his Saturday morning show, saying he wanted to have his "weekends back" after 13 years of presenting. He told his listeners: "Now the show isn't quite the normal show today because I have a bit of an announcement to make - I'm leaving weekends here at Virgin radio."
Graham added he will not be leaving Virgin entirely, adding: "I'll still be kind of popping up on the station from time to time but my regular Saturday and Sundays, I'm stepping away."
He continued: "I've worked weekends between here and the old place for 13 years and my life has changed a bit so I just want my weekends back. So really the next two shows, today and tomorrow, are me just saying thank you to you all for listening."
He confirmed fellow Irish presenter Angela Scanlon, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing last year, will host for the next few weeks before "various announcements" on who will take over the slot permanently. The star has hosted the show from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays since 2021.
Fans were left taken aback at the suddenness of the announcement. One said: "Waking up to hear Graham Norton is not going to be part of my weekends any more is a serious kick in the a**. I will seriously miss you but can understand why you want your weekends back. #GrahamNorton".
Another wrote: "Gutted to hear Graham Norton is ending his weekend shows on Virgin Radio. A regular listener since he started there (and previously on R2 obvs) - as he’s a warm funny and engaging listen. Plus a good radio interviewer, something that’s very underrated."
Norton joined Radio 2 in 2010 on the 10am to 1pm Saturday show, taking over from Jonathan Ross. He moved to Virgin Radio in 2021, with his BBC slot going to Claudia Winkleman. The Strictly Come Dancing and Traitors host is due to leave that show in March after saying she wanted to spend more time with her growing children. Norton also hosts an eponymous Friday night chat show on BBC One and is central to the broadcaster's Eurovision coverage.
