Radio 2 fans have criticized the BBC for “constantly putting pressure” on Paddy McGuinness and giving him a new regular Sunday show.
Paddy, 50, has also been given a gig to headline a new Sunday show on Radio 2, replacing Michael Ball’s original slot, but fans claim “all the shows he’s in are cancelled.”
Michael, 61, currently performs on Sundays from 11am to 1pm and is now confirmed to host Love Songs With Michael Ball from 9am to 11am from June, taking over Steve Wright’s Love Songs after the veteran DJ’s sudden death earlier this year.
Following the announcement, Radio 2 fans took to
Radio 2 fans have criticized the BBC for “constantly putting pressure” on Paddy McGuinness and giving him a new regular Sunday show.
They wrote: ‘@BBCRadio2. While I applaud you giving the ‘Love Songs’ slot to Michael Ball, I can’t believe his current show has been given to Paddy McGuinness. He ruined Question of Sport, so what will he do with that Sunday morning slot?
“Paddy McGuinness will now decimate Radio 2. Sunday was the only day I continued listening to it.”
‘Why oh why Paddy McGuinness, that’s another turn off. All the shows he participates 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 run again because “the money ran out.”
Another of his shows, Top Gear, has been suspended after Freddie Flintoff was injured.
He temporarily left the television show Stand Up To Cancer: Don’t Look Down due to “family reasons”, but returned a few weeks later.
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 has died aged 69, was found dead in his £2million flat after paramedics were called to an “incident”, MailOnline revealed.
It has now been confirmed that Michael, 61, will host Love Songs With Michael Ball from 9am to 11am from June.
Paddy, who has most recently been in charge of the Rylan Clarke Show, will take over Michael’s 11am-1pm slot with a brand new look.
Michael, 61, currently performs on Sundays from 11am to 1pm and is now confirmed to host Love Songs With Michael Ball from 9am to 11am from June, taking over Steve Wright’s Love Songs after 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 has fronted the show since 1996, featuring classic romantic themes, along with dedications and real-life love stories.
The late DJ continued to work for the BBC, presenting Sunday Love Songs, even after he was made redundant from his evening role in July 2022.
His friend of 40 years, publicist Gary Farrow, said he believes Wright “died of a broken heart” after being “devastated” to lose his popular afternoon slot on Radio 2 in 2022.
Speaking to The Sun, he said: Steve lives for the show, he loved it and the listeners loved it. My opinion is that he died of 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, if a little nervous” to continue Steve’s “extraordinary legacy.”
He said: ‘Steve made an appointment to listen to Love Songs radio. I am beyond excited and more than a little nervous to have the opportunity to continue his extraordinary legacy.
‘Beautiful, soulful, relaxing and uplifting music to lift the soul on a Sunday morning, along with the precious stories, suggestions, requests and memories from you, the listener, will ensure that this is not just MY show, but OUR show. .
Steve has fronted the show since 1996, featuring classic romantic themes, along with dedications and real-life love stories.
The late DJ continued to work for the BBC, presenting Sunday Love Songs, even after he was let go from its evening slot in July 2022.
“I hope you will join us as we continue to share the love.”
Meanwhile, comedian Paddy said: “I loved keeping Rylan’s seat warm on Saturday afternoons and getting back on the airwaves over Easter.”
“Having my own regular show on the legendary Radio 2 is a dream come true.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: “Although these are changes we would prefer not to make, given the circumstances, I am delighted to welcome Paddy and Michael to their new Sunday slots on Radio 2.
‘I’m looking forward to Michael’s new former show where he will entertain his “loves” as he always has, and Paddy made a great impression on our listeners when he represented Rylan and with his Easter specials.
“I would also like to thank Nicki Chapman for presenting brilliant editions of Sunday Love Songs over the past few weeks.”
The replacement for Steve’s Pick of the Pops has yet to be announced, meanwhile, Gary Davies continues as interim presenter of the show.
Emergency services rushed to the star’s home in Marylebone, central London, shortly 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. Sadly, one person was pronounced dead at the scene.’
His “unexpected” death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner, police said.
The radio personality presented shows for BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 for more than four decades.
