Beloved Irish broadcaster Graham Norton has sent shockwaves through the UK radio industry with a major career announcement, leaving his future at Virgin Radio hanging in the balance.
The chat show king, 61, is making a sensational return to his old stomping ground, BBC Radio 2, this November. He's signed up to host a coveted 10-week Saturday morning show, filling the gap left by the departing veteran presenter, Paul O'Grady.
This high-profile comeback has immediately triggered concern and intense speculation behind the scenes. Industry insiders are now questioning whether Norton can possibly maintain his current, lucrative weekend show on Virgin Radio without a major scheduling conflict.
A Scheduling Nightmare In The Making
Norton's new BBC slot runs from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays. This directly overlaps with his existing Virgin Radio programme, which is broadcast from midday until 2pm. This creates a clear and almost impossible one-hour clash, raising the inevitable question: which show will he choose to keep?
An industry source revealed the palpable anxiety, stating, "It's the million-dollar question. The assumption is he'll have to choose. The BBC deal is a big deal for him, a return to the fold. But Virgin pays a huge amount. It's a real head-scratcher."
The Chris Evans Precedent
This situation mirrors a similar dilemma faced by another radio giant, Chris Evans. Evans successfully managed to host shows on both Virgin Radio and the BBC's Radio 2 for a period. However, he was eventually forced to choose one over the other due to the immense pressure and logistical challenges of the dual commitment.
Norton's move is seen as a significant coup for the BBC, which has been keen to re-establish its relationship with the star after he left his legendary Saturday morning show on Radio 2 in 2020. His return is widely viewed as a strategic move to win back listeners.
For now, both the BBC and Virgin Radio have remained tight-lipped, offering no official comment on how the apparent clash will be resolved. Listeners and industry watchers alike are now waiting with bated breath to see which microphone Graham Norton decides to prioritise.
