Graham Norton confirms he’s leaving Virgin Radio weekend show after three years in shock

Graham Norton has confirmed that he’s leaving his weekend shows on Virgin Radio after three years.

The Irish presenter, 60, has hosted The Graham Norton Radio Show on the station since 2021 alongside Maria McErlane.

Announcing the news of his departure live on Saturday’s show, Graham said: ‘It is my final weekend of shows here at Virgin Radio.’

Graham added that he’s not leaving Virgin Radio completely but will be stepping away from the weekend schedule with immediate effect.

His final weekend show will be Sunday, February 25.

Graham Norton has confirmed that he’s leaving his weekend shows on Virgin Radio after three years

The Irish presenter said that he’s not leaving Virgin Radio completely but will be stepping away from the weekend schedule with immediate effect

When Graham first joined Virgin Radio, content director Mike Cass said: ‘Graham Norton is one of very few truly unique talents in broadcasting. I’m delighted to be welcoming him to the Virgin Radio family in the new year. 

‘He’ll be bringing double the wit, double the banter and double the love across Saturday and Sunday.’

Graham has repeatedly mentioned cutting back on his work and desire not to keep going until he was too old.

He told SiriusXm in September, 2019: ‘We are on air right now 35 to 36 weeks a year. So if I cut that down, maybe lob ten weeks off it, then I think that would be ideal.

‘What I might try to do is just cut back on my workload.’

And in 2015 he said he would retire before hit the age of 60.

He told the Mirror: ‘I’m not jumping tomorrow but it is in my head. You want to get out when you can still enjoy your life.

‘Neighbours of mine worked and worked and went on this trip of a lifetime round the world. They had to be airlifted three times because they were too old to do this trip. They got stuck on every hike they did.

‘So I don’t want to be them. You want to get out of work when you have still got time to enjoy your life.’

Graham is reportedly in the running to take over Steve Wright’s Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 following the veteran DJ’s death.

Wright, 69, was found dead at his £2million London flat days after reportedly speaking with BBC bosses – and ahead of a meeting to allegedly discuss a comeback on a new ‘pop nostalgia’ Radio 2 spin-off station.

And while the broadcaster had been unceremoniously ousted from the coveted afternoon slot on the station in 2022 after 23 years, he had continued to record the weekly Steve Wright’s Love Songs, with the most recent edition airing last weekend.

Singer and presenter Michael Ball (left) and veteran presenter and ex-Radio 2 host Graham Norton (right) are among those tipped to take over on Love Songs

Wright had fronted the show since 1996 – featuring classic romance tracks, along with dedications and real-life love stories.

The final edition, which had been recorded, will not air. But reports suggest that the BBC plans to keep Love Songs going in some form with a new presenter.

Among those suggested by media insiders include singer and presenter Michael Ball, Davina McCall and Graham, who presented a Saturday show for a decade until he defected to Virgin Radio in 2021.

Ball already presents a show on Radio 2 on Sundays, meaning he may have to forgo the 11am slot if he wishes to step into Wright’s shoes. McCall, meanwhile, has sat in for Claudia Winkleman, who is set to leave her Saturday mid-morning show in March. 

Grant Michaels, director of talent agency Encanta, says the BBC is stuck between trying to shake up the station’s male-heavy line-up and avoiding alienating Radio 2’s already dwindling audience