Claudia Winkleman bids final farewell to BBC Radio 2 as she leaves show after 16 years: ‘I’ve never been more nervous’

Claudia Winkleman bids final farewell to BBC Radio 2 as she leaves show after 16 years: ‘I’ve never been more nervous’

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing

Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 23/03/2024

- 18:01

Claudia Winkleman joined BBC Radio 2 back in 2008 and took over the Saturday 10am to 1pm slot from Graham Norton in 2021

Claudia Winkleman has said her final goodbyes to the listeners of her BBC Radio 2 show, giving them her “biggest” thank you for tuning in and supporting her every week.

Winkleman announced that she would be leaving the station back in December 2023, noting she wants to spend more time with her children and family.


Romesh Ranganathan, who currently has a midnight to 1am Radio 2 weekend show, will take over from Winkleman next week.

The Traitors presenter originally moved to her Saturday morning slot in February 2021 and took over from Graham Norton – who moved to present a show on Virgin Radio.

Addressing her listeners this morning, she said: “We have come to the end and I am allergic, I don’t know whether you know this [but I’m allergic] to goodbyes.

“But I do want to say thank you, many thank yous if that’s alright with you. I would love to thank Helen and everyone at Radio 2.

Claudia Winkleman

Claudia gave her final goodbyes this morning

BBC

“I’d love to thank the brilliant people who have worked on this show, specifically Phil, Jeff, and Grace, but there are so many more.

“But my biggest thanks are to you, the listeners, I have worked in telly for, I think, 24 years and I’m just being completely honest, I have never been more nervous than I was taking over for Graham.

“And you were warm, you were so welcoming, you were so lovely to me. I love your excellent weekly messages, all the updates.

“So, I just want to say thank you so much. Do me one last favour, be lovely to Romesh and please look after my [traffic news reporter] Sally [Boazman]. This is from me, to you and it could only be this.”

Romesh Ranganathan

Romesh will be taking over from Claudia

BBC

As she came to the end of her speech, she played one final song to see her out which was the Oasis hit Wonderwall.

Earlier in the show, she had received a message from former Oasis star Liam Gallagher, where he said: “I heard it’s your last Radio 2 to show today.

“Congratulations. Thanks for all support over the years and being a true faithful. See you soon.”

The 52-year-olds successor Ranganathan also wished her well and said: “I just wanted to wish you the very, very best of luck, not luck, you don’t need like luck, the very, very best of wishes for your last show.

Claudia Winkleman

Claudia Winkleman left BBC Radio 2

BBC

“I’m so excited and nervous to take over the show and every time (I’ll) be doing the show, I’ll be thinking I’m enjoying doing the show, but isn’t it a shame that Claudia isn’t doing the show?

“The point I’m trying to make is I love you, Claudia, all the best.”

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