Comic takes the hot seat for all of the next season

Romesh Ranganathan is to take over as the permanent host of A League of Their Own.

The comedian hosted almost all of last season’s episodes of  Sky’s sports-based panel show but will take the job full-time when series 16 returns in August.

Today’s news marks the third announcement in a many days of a new Ranganathan-fronted project, after it was revealed he was to front a new celebrity true-crime series for BBC Two and a hip-hop show for Radio 2.

Ranganathan became a regular on the show in 2018, for the 13th season, then joined the roster of hosts when original presenter James Corden headed to the US to host his late-night chat show.

The comedian chaired six of the eight episodes last autumn, with team captains  Andrew Flintoff and Jamie Redknapp taking over for one show apiece.

Today Ranganathan said: ‘I’m over the moon to be taking over the hosting duties and looking forward to being back in the studio with Jamie, Freddie, our guests and the live audience.

‘I’m truly honoured to be the new host of such a successful show. I know Jamie and Freddie are delighted because they often talk about what a hero I am to both of them.’

The new series of eight episodes will be filmed at  Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire with a socially distanced studio audience, starting on July 5.

Guests this year include FA Cup winner Jamie Vardy, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis and football pundit Micah Richards with others  to be announced

Makers CPL Productions said: ‘Due to existing work commitments James Corden is unable to appear in this series.’

Made by: CPL Productions
Commissioned by: Zai Bennett, managing director of content for Sky UK and Ireland and Phil Edgar-Jones, director, Sky Arts and head of entertainment
Commissioning editor: Barbara Lee
Executive producers: David Taylor, Murray Boland and Danielle Lux
Producer:  Jack Shillaker 

Published: 24 Jun 2021