Radio 2 fans have slammed the BBC for ‘constantly pushing’ Paddy McGuinness and giving him a new regular Sunday show.
Paddy, 50, has also been given a gig to front a brand new Sunday show on Radio 2, taking over from Michael Ball’s original slot but fans claim ‘all shows he’s in are cancelled.’
Michael, 61, currently presents on Sunday from 11am-1pm and is now confirmed to present Love Songs With Michael Ball from 9am-11am from June, taking over Steve Wright’s Love Songs following the veteran DJ’s sudden death earlier this year.
Following the announcement, Radio 2 fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to claim that Paddy has some sort of anti-midas touch and are concerned about what he will bring to the broadcaster.
Radio 2 fans have slammed the BBC for ‘constantly pushing’ Paddy McGuinness and giving him a new regular Sunday show
They wrote: ‘@BBCRadio2. Whilst I applaud you giving the ‘Love Songs’ slot to Michael Ball, can’t believe his current show has been given to Paddy McGuinness. He ruined Question of Sport so what will he do to that Sunday morning slot?
‘Paddy McGuinness will now decimate Radio 2. Sunday was the only day I have continued to listen to it.’
‘Why oh why Paddy McGuinness, that’s another turn off. All shows he’s in are cancelled.’
In December, the BBC axed Question Of Sport after 50 years, with Paddy at the helm.
The TV star then said he would be going back to stand up because ‘the money’s run out.’
Another of his shows, Top Gear has been suspended after Freddie Flintoff was injured.
He temporarily left the Stand Up To Cancer: Don’t Look Down TV show due to ‘family reasons’ but did return a few weeks later.
It was reported in February 2023 that Paddy’s talent show I Can See Your Voice had been dropped by BBC bosses after two series while Catchpoint was also dropped from its Saturday evening primetime slot.
In February 2020, Paddy’s once popular ITV dating game show, Take Me Out, was axed after nine years with bosses fearing it had ‘run its course.’
Following the announcement, Radio 2 fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter , to claim that Paddy has some sort of anti-midas touch
The BBC announced on Tuesday that Michael Ball will permanently host Steve Wright’s Love Songs following the veteran DJ’s sudden death earlier this year.
Wright, who died aged 69, was found dead in his £2million flat after paramedics were called to an ‘incident’, MailOnline revealed.
Michael, 61, is now confirmed to present Love Songs With Michael Ball from 9am-11am from June.
Paddy, who has recently been holding the fort for Rylan Clarke’s show, will then takeover Michael’s slot 11am-1pm with a brand new look.
Michael, 61, currently presents on Sunday from 11am-1pm and is now confirmed to present Love Songs With Michael Ball from 9am-11am from June, taking over Steve Wright’s Love Songs following the veteran DJ’s sudden death earlier this year
The BBC announced on Tuesday that Michael Ball will permanently host Steve Wright’s Love Songs following the veteran DJ’s sudden death earlier this year
Steve fronted the show since 1996 – featuring classic romance tracks, along with dedications and real-life love stories.
The late DJ continued working for the BBC, presenting Sunday Love Songs, even after he was axed from his afternoon slot in July 2022.
His friend of 40 years, publicist Gary Farrow, said he believes Wright ‘died from a broken heart’ after he was ‘devastated’ to lose his popular Radio 2 afternoon slot in 2022.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: Steve lives for the show, he absolutely loved it – and the listeners loved him. My view is that he died from a broken heart.’
Steve, who was replaced by Radio 1’s Scott Mills, also presented the long-running show Pick Of The Pops, which had previously been fronted by Paul Gambaccini.
Following his tragic passing, Michael said he was ‘beyond excited, yet a little nervous’ to continue Steve’s ‘extraordinary legacy’.
He said: ‘Steve made Love Songs ‘appointment to listen’ radio. I’m beyond excited and more than a little nervous to be tasked with the chance to continue with his extraordinary legacy.
‘Beautiful, moving, relaxing and uplifting music to lift the soul on a Sunday morning, coupled with the stories, suggestions, requests and precious memories from you, the listener, will ensure that this won’t be just MY show, but OUR show.
Steve fronted the show since 1996 – featuring classic romance tracks, along with dedications and real-life love stories
The late DJ continued working for the BBC, presenting Sunday Love Songs, even after he was axed from his afternoon slot in July 2022
‘I hope you will join us as we continue to share the love.’
Meanwhile, comedian Paddy said: ‘I’ve loved keeping Rylan’s seat warm on Saturday afternoons and returning to the airwaves over Easter.
‘To be given my very own regular show on the legendary Radio 2 is a dream come true.’
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said: ‘Although these are changes that we’d rather not be making, given the circumstances, I’m delighted to welcome Paddy and Michael to their new Sunday slots on Radio 2.
‘I’m looking forward to Michael’s new earlier show, where he’ll entertain his “lovelies” as he’s always done, and Paddy made a huge impression on our listeners when he sat in for Rylan as well as with his Easter specials.
‘I’d also like to thank Nicki Chapman for presenting brilliant editions of Sunday Love Songs for the past few weeks.’
Steve’s Pick of the Pops replacement is yet to be announced, with Gary Davies continuing as the show’s interim host in the meantime.
Emergency services rushed to the star’s home in Marylebone, central London, just after 10am on February 12, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We sent a number of resources to the scene. Very sadly, a person was pronounced dead at the scene.’
His ‘unexpected’ death is not being treated as suspicious with a report being prepared for the coroner, police said.
The radio personality presented programmes for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades.
