Rick Edwards to host Fighting Talk
- Radio 5 Live panel show Fighting Talk is to be hosted by Rick Edwards from its new series later this summer
- Entering its 20th year on air, the comedy show about sport was most recently helmed by Colin Murray
Rick Edwards is to host Radio 5 Live's Fighting Talk from September.
Already co-host of the station's breakfast programme, Edwards will take the award-winning sports comedy into its 20th year on air when he takes over from recent host Colin Murray as it returns for its twenty-first series on 2nd September.
The weekly Saturday morning programme features various comedians, sports stars and broadcasters debating the biggest sporting issues of the week, as they fight it out to earn points for punditry.
Rick Edwards says: "I've been a huge fan of Fighting Talk since the Johnny Vaughan days which, I accept, does age me. Over the years my performance as a guest has been patchy, and I am really looking forward to bringing that inconsistency to the host's chair. I can already feel the power going to my head. The bosses will regret giving me the keys to that sound effects' box."
Vaughan was the original host of the format, and his production company still makes the programme for the BBC. Johnny comments: "The Fighting Talk team are thrilled to have Rick at the helm for the next part of the journey. Over the years we have been so lucky that each host has brought with them their own unique style, passion and humour and that is what has helped make Fighting Talk Britain's longest running, favourite sporting entertainment show. We are delighted that Rick is now part of a glorious Saturday tradition!"
Richard Maddock, Lead Commissioning Editor at BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "We are delighted to be announcing Rick as the new Fighting Talk host. He's got big shoes to fill but he is a brilliant broadcaster. Having been a guest on the show many times, we know he'll do a fantastic job chairing one of the longest running and most successful entertainment shows on British radio."