Graham Norton has confirmed he is quitting his weekend shows on Virgin Radio after three years.
And devastated fans think they know where the 60-year-old Irish presenter will travel next as they speculate he will take on Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs following his death last week.
Steve, 69, was found dead in his £2million London apartment on Monday after reportedly speaking to BBC bosses – and ahead of a meeting at which he was said to be discussing a comeback by a new “pop nostalgia” spinner. off-station Radio 2 was spoken.
While the station had been ousted from its coveted afternoon slot on the network in 2022 after 23 years, it had continued to host the weekly Steve Wright's Love Songs, with the latest edition airing earlier this month.
With the Sunday station still in need of a permanent replacement, fans are convinced Graham is the perfect fit as he hosted a Saturday show for a decade until moving to Virgin Radio in 2021.
Graham Norton has confirmed he is quitting his weekend shows on Virgin Radio after three years
And devastated fans think they know where the 60-year-old Irish presenter will be heading next as they speculate he will join Steve Wright on his Sunday Love Songs show
One fan said to X, formerly known as
“It's so sad to hear that Graham Norton is leaving Virgin Radio. 'Are they Sunday love songs that tempt us?'
“I bet he goes back to Radio 2 for love songs!!!”
Graham has hosted the Graham Norton Radio Show on the station alongside Maria McErlane since 2021.
Graham announced the news of his departure live on the show on Saturday, saying: Today's show isn't quite the normal show because I have a little announcement to make. I'm kind of wrong! I'm leaving the weekends here at Virgin Radio.'
Graham added that he is not leaving Virgin Radio completely, but will be stepping down from weekend programming with immediate effect.
His final weekend show will be on Sunday, February 25th.
Virgin Radio announced that Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Scanlon will be stepping in over the next few weeks and urged listeners to prepare for an exciting announcement.
Steve, 69, was found dead in his £2million London apartment on Monday after reportedly speaking to BBC bosses – and ahead of a meeting at which he was said to be discussing a comeback by a new “pop nostalgia” spinner. Radio 2's off-station was spoken
With the Sunday slot still in need of a permanent replacement, fans are convinced Graham is the perfect fit, having hosted a Saturday show for a decade
Graham explained live on air: “I'll still check in with the station from time to time, but on my regular Saturdays and Sundays I'll forego it.”
“I worked weekends between here and the old place for 13 years and my life changed a little bit, so I thought, 'Oh, I want my weekends back!'
“So basically on the next two shows, today and tomorrow, I just want to thank you all for listening.”
Addressing the future of the morning slot, he added: “Angela Scanlon will be here in the next few weeks and I think there will be various announcements after that about people who will stand in front of that microphone and entertain you.” Saturday and Sunday mornings.'
When Graham first joined Virgin Radio, content director Mike Cass said: “Graham Norton is one of the few truly unique talents in broadcasting.” I'm delighted to welcome him to the Virgin Radio family in the new year.
“He will bring twice as much wit, twice as much banter and twice as much love on Saturday and Sunday.”
Graham has repeatedly indicated that he is cutting back on his work and does not want to continue until he is too old.
He told SiriusXm in September 2019: “We're currently on the air 35 to 36 weeks a year. “So if I cut that down, maybe take 10 weeks out of it, I think that would be ideal.
“Maybe I’ll just try to reduce my workload.”
The Irish presenter said he is not leaving Virgin Radio entirely but will be stepping down from the weekend program with immediate effect
Virgin Radio announced that Angela Scanlon will be stepping in over the next few weeks and urged listeners to prepare for an exciting announcement.
And in 2015, he said he would retire before he turns 60.
He told the Mirror: “I'm not going to jump tomorrow but it's on my mind. “You want out when you can still enjoy your life.
“My neighbors worked and worked and took this once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world.” They had to be flown three times because they were too old for this trip. They got stuck every time they hiked.
“So I don’t want to be like them.” “You want to get out of work when you still have time to enjoy your life.”
Graham was reportedly in the running to take over Steve Wright's Love Songs on BBC Radio 2 following the veteran DJ's death.
Wright fronted Sunday Love Songs since 1996 – featuring classic love songs, dedications and real love stories.
The final edition, which was recorded, will not be broadcast. However, the BBC is reportedly planning to keep Love Songs running in some form with a new presenter.
Suggestions from media insiders included singer and presenter Michael Ball, Davina McCall and Graham, who hosted a Saturday show for a decade until moving to Virgin Radio in 2021.
Ball already presents a show on Radio 2 on Sundays, meaning he may have to give up the 11am slot if he wants to follow in Wright's footsteps. McCall, meanwhile, has stepped in for Claudia Winkleman, who is expected to leave her Saturday morning show in March.
Grant Michaels, director of talent agency Encanta, says the BBC is stuck between trying to shake up the channel's male-heavy programming and avoiding upsetting Radio 2's already dwindling audience