Fighting Talk hosts step down
- Josh Widdicombe and Georgie Ainslie are stepping down as the hosts of Fighting Talk
- The duo are leaving the Radio 5 Live panel show due to other TV commitments
- There is no news yet on who will take over as host when the programme returns in September
Josh Widdicombe and Georgie Ainslie are stepping down as the hosts of Fighting Talk.
The duo have been taking it in turns to host the Radio 5 Live panel show on Saturday mornings for two seasons now, but are stepping back at the same time due to "their increasingly busy schedules".
Josh Widdicombe, who will be heading to the Paralympics with The Last Leg next month, says: "Due to the continued television commitments and heading back out on tour I have had to make the difficult decision to hang up my cap as the host of Fighting Talk. It has been a massive honour to host a show that I was a fan of for years and I look forward to getting my Saturday mornings back!"
Georgie Ainslie comments of her departure: "I've absolutely loved working with the Fighting Talk team and panellists over the past two years, but have made the decision that it's time to move on to pastures new. My family and I are off to Bermuda for the Americas Cup in December, so I'm bowing out on a high with my wonderful co-host Josh, who I know has other commitments to focus on too this year. I wish the Producers and whoever takes over the reins the very best of luck with what is an absolutely cracking show".
Fighting Talk is set to return in its 11am slot on Saturday 17th September. An update of who will take over hosting duties will be revealed in due course.
Fighting Talk's Executive Producer Gregor Cameron says: "We have loved working with Josh and Georgie over the last two years. Keeping a panel of Fighting Talk pundits in check is no easy task and they have both excelled as hosts, making a huge impact on the show in a very short space of time and putting their own individual stamps on the programme. We are incredibly grateful for all their hard work and really look forward to working with them again in the future."
Commissioning Editor Richard Maddock adds: "Josh and Georgie have both done a fantastic job on Fighting Talk and we'd like to thank them for all their hard work and dedication over the last couple of years. They have created lots of fun and laughter on the programme and have both helped keep the show as essential Saturday morning listening for sports fans across the UK. We wish them both well and look forward to hearing them back on BBC Radio 5 Live in the future".
A recent episode of Fighting Talk, an Olympics special, was filmed, and can be watched on BBC iPlayer