Replacing Angela Barnes on Radio 4 Extra

Kiri Pritchard-McLean is to take over as host of  Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack.

She replaces Angela Barnes when the satirical sketch show returns for a new series on February 7.

Pritchard-McLean has previously 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 appeared on  The Russell Howard Hour and  Have I Got News For You on TV.

She said: ‘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.’

Barnes has been the helm of Newsjack for four series since 2017 and will be joining the presenting team introducing the programming on 4 Extra’s Comedy Club, at the weekends alongside Jake Yapp and Arthur Smith.

Weekday presenters will be Jessica Fostekew, Sarah Campbell, Laura Lexx, Paul Garner, Jon Holmes, Iain Lee, and Rob Deering.

Other former Newsjack presenters are Nish Kumar, Miles Jupp, Romesh Ranganathan and Justin Edwards.

Published: 13 Dec 2018