Claudia Winkleman fights back tears as she hosts her final BBC Radio 2 Show: ‘I’m allergic to goodbyes’

Claudia Winkleman fought back tears as she said goodbye to her BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday.

The presenter, 52, who announced she was leaving her show after 15 years in December, felt grateful as she wrapped up her final show.

She told her listeners: ‘We’ve come to the end and I’m allergic to goodbyes, but I want to thank you very much, I want to thank Helen and everyone at Radio 2.’

Sounding as if she was fighting back tears as her voice trembled, Claudia added: “But my biggest thanks go to you, the listeners, I’ve worked for 24 years and I’ve never been as nervous as when I took over from Graham (Norton). were warm welcoming and so kind to me. . .

“I love your weekly posts and updates, I just want to thank you so much.”

The presenter played one last song and said: ‘This is from me to you, it can only be this…’ before Oasis’ Wonderwall started playing.

Some of her latest songs included Tiny Dancer by Elton John, Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles and So What by Pink.

Claudia was treated to a surprise recorded message from Liam Gallagher, who said: ‘Hello Claudia, it’s Liam Gallagher. Congratulations and thank you for all the support over the years and for being faithful.”

Claudia announced in December that she was leaving her show, citing a desire to spend more time with her children.

She shares Jake, 20, Matilda, 17, and Arthur, 11, with her film producer partner, Kris Thykier, 50, whom she married in 2000.

She will be replaced by comedian Romesh Ranganathan who will present his first show in April.

The media personality explained that it had been an “absolute privilege” to host the show as she thanked her listeners.

She began, “I would like to share my thoughts. First of all, I’m going to say it out loud and with vim: I love Radio 2.’

‘It’s an absolute privilege to be here every Saturday, chatting to wonderful guests, being with Sally and most importantly reading your fantastic posts.

“But here’s the thing and it’s such a boring cliché, so I apologize. Time goes too fast. My daughter is getting ready to leave the house and she was three about 5 minutes ago.

‘I have another little one who wants to be with me. I don’t know how long that will last and I just need to be home more.

‘So my news at 10 o’clock is that I’m leaving, but I have two exceptional news. One: the person who takes over is one of the funniest and smartest people on the planet.

‘We will love listening to him every Saturday at ten o’clock. Consider this an early Christmas gift.

“The one and only Romesh Ranganathan will be here from April and he is majestic.

‘Number two, the second good news, is that before I leave in March, the bosses have said I can play, and I’m unapologetic about this, an obscene amount of this.’

She then performed Oasis’ hit You Gotta Roll With it.

In a press release, Claudia added: ‘I absolutely love Radio 2 and it has been a privilege to host the Saturday morning show for three years. I will miss our wonderful guests, our brilliant listeners and the one and only Sally Traffic.

‘The truth is that my children are growing up extremely quickly, so I have decided to monitor them at home before they leave for good.

‘I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who works on the show, I’ll continue to visit with poorly made biscuits and pester the bosses to present the occasional special.

‘I couldn’t be happier that Romesh is taking over Saturday mornings on Radio 2. He has a brilliant and funny laugh, and I listen every week as my children beg me to leave them alone.”

Following news of Claudia’s departure, friends and famous faces sent her messages, with presenter Rylan Clark commenting on Radio 2’s Instagram post: ‘Gonna miss u claud’, while podcaster and actress Giovanna Fletcher branded her a ‘legend’ mentioned.

Claudia’s departure marks the latest in a number of high-profile presenters to leave or move positions on BBC Radio, including Ken Bruce, who left Radio 2 in March after more than three decades presenting his morning show and started a new show on Greatest. Hits on the radio in April – with his popular music quiz PopMaster.

Romesh said of his new role: “In the many years I have worked as a maths teacher and thought ‘what would happen if I gave this up’, I never imagined I would be sandwiched between Dermot O’Leary and Steve Wright on the Britain’s most popular list. radio station every Saturday morning.

“I am grateful to Claud for wanting to spend more time with her children, and allowing me to spend less time with mine, and I look forward to finding out what the nation is up to at the time, and talking to some . recognizable faces. It’s going to be fun. Probably.’

Romesh currently presents For The Love of Hip-Hop on BBC Radio 2, for which he won Best Specialist Music Show at this year’s Radio Academy Aria Awards. He will continue to host the show and take over from Claudia.

The comedian has also presented a number of series, including The Misadventures Of Romesh Ranganathan, The Ranganation, A League Of Their Own and the quiz show The Weakest Link.

Head of Radio 2 Helen Thomas said: ‘I would like to thank Claudia for entertaining her millions of listeners every Saturday morning with such sparkling humor and great warmth.

‘Radio 2 listeners can rest assured as we are working on a plan for a number of specials in the future, so watch this space.

‘I am pleased to welcome Romesh to his new Saturday morning program on Radio 2.

‘Based on the audience response at Radio 2 in the Park in Leicester this year, he is already a firm favorite with our listeners.

‘Like Claud before him, he guarantees that you will stay for an appointment on Saturday morning to listen.’