Claudia Winkleman has left the BBC Breakfast programme after three years as host. And, as her friends and colleagues paid homage, the presenter became more emotional.
Claudia revealed in December that she was leaving her BBC Radio 2 show this year. And, as that day approached, Claudia, 52, received a series of notes from a number of entertainment favourites with whom she had worked over the years.
The Traitors actor has been with the radio station for 15 years, and will take up the breakfast position in 2021 once Graham Norton steps down.
In her final words to her audience, Claudia said: ‘We have come to the end and I’m allergic to goodbyes. But I do want to say thank you, many thank yous. I want to thank everyone at Radio 2.’
She continued: ‘I’d like to thank the brilliant people who have worked on this show… my biggest thanks are to you the listeners. I’ve worked in telly for at least 24 years and I’m being completely honest, I have never been more nervous than I was taking over for Graham Norton.’
This came as traffic reporter Sally Boazman – or ‘Sally Traffic’ – surprised Claudia with several messages from industry legends such as Dermot O’Leary, Zoe Ball, and BBC radio icon Tony Blackburn.
As she listened to her showbiz friends and colleagues pay tribute, Claudia grew audibly emotional, saying: ‘Oh, that’s amazing.’
‘Hello, Queen of knitwear and fingerless leather gloves, I’m going to miss you in my ears lady love,’ said Zoe Ball.
‘I can’t begin to tell you how much I’m going to miss the sound of your voice. When you create magic moments that stay with people forever that’s pretty special – and that’s what you do,’ said Sara Cox.
As she thanked fans of the show for listening in, Claudia paid tribute to Sally, telling her: ‘When I first started, I used to come in at 6am, before Tony [Blackburn] because I was so nervous, and I would just find you and you would look after me. I love you, we’re friends for life.’
‘I’m going to go to the toilet and cry,’ Sally told her, to which a choked-up Claudia said she would join her.
Liam Gallagher surprised Claudia with his final departure, which he accompanied with a Traitors joke.
‘I’ve heard it’s your last Radio 2 show today, so, congratulations. Thanks for all your support over the years you’ve been a true Faithful,’ said the former Oasis frontman.
Romesh Ranganathan, a comedian and host of Weakest Link, will replace Claudia on the AM show.
Romesh wished Claudia the best for her exit, saying: ‘I’m so excited and nervous to take over the show, and every time I’ll be doing the show, I’ll be thinking “I’m enjoying doing the show but isn’t it a shame that Claudia isn’t doing the show.”
‘Love you, Claudia, all the best!’ he added.