Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard McLean will host the new series of Radio 4 Extra’s satirical sketch show Newsjack, which begins on 7 February 2019.
Kiri brings a wealth of experience in radio comedy. She has made regular appearances on Radio 4’s The Now Show and The News Quiz, as well as guest hosting on Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack Unplugged. She’s also written and performed for Sky One’s The Russell Howard Hour and appeared on BBC One’s Have I Got News For You.
Having huge success with her sold-out show Victim, Complex at Edinburgh this year, Kiri will begin hosting Newsjack when it returns for the 20th series next year, following in the footsteps of former presenters Nish Kumar, Miles Jupp, Romesh Ranganathan, Justin Edwards, and most recently, Angela Barnes. After hosting four series since 2017, Angela announced her departure in October this year and will be joining the presenting team on 4 Extra’s Comedy Club. She can also be heard in a second series of her poignant comedy Angela Barnes: You Can’t Take It With You on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.
Newsjack is a satirical sketch show with an open-door policy, where brand new writers can send in material to be performed by a cast of exciting new names in comedy. It’s a sharp, witty look at news and popular culture made especially for BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Pritchard McLean says: “I am equal parts giddy and terrified to be taking over Newsjack. Angela left some huge boots to fill, metaphorically – before an internet rumour starts about unnaturally long toes. Newsjack was the first place to give me a chance to write comedy and was instrumental in me doing comedy for a living now so I’m so excited that I get to return as host, and being on the radio will finally make my parents proud.”
Radio 4 Extra's Comedy Club will also be changing. It will be focusing on fresh, original content following the programme’s success over the past few years, having moved to seven days a week and providing a late night peak in listening for the station. In the New Year, Angela Barnes and Jake Yapp will join Arthur Smith on the rota for weekend presenting duties, whilst the weekday presenters will be Jessica Fostekew, Sarah Campbell, Laura Lexx, Paul Garner, Jon Holmes, Iain Lee, and Rob Deering.
Tony Pilgrim, Exec Editor of Radio 4 Extra says: “More and more people are listening to Radio 4 Extra with two million now tuning in each week, and we know our comedy programming is a highlight of the schedule, with our peak listening moment coming for the Comedy Club each evening. As well as bringing listeners the best programmes from the BBC’s radio archives, we also celebrate and support up-and-coming comedy talent. So I’m delighted we’re bringing great new presenters to both the Comedy Club and Newsjack, showcasing some of the best rising comedy stars in the UK.”
