Sue Perkins announced as new host of BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute

Former Great British Bake Off host replaces the late Nicholas Parsons

Sam Moore
Tuesday 20 July 2021 08:30 EDT
Comments
Sue Perkins makes digs at Channel 4 over Bake Off

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Broadcaster and comedian Sue Perkins has been confirmed as the new host of BBC Radio 4’s panel show Just a Minute.

The announcement follows the death of previous host Nicholas Parsons.

Parsons had presented Just a Minute from 1967 until shortly before he died aged 96 in January 2020.

“I’m beyond delighted to be asked to host this most legendary of shows,” said Perkins, who is best known as an original presenter of The Great British Bake Off alongside Mel Giedroyc.

Speaking about replacing Parsons, Perkins said: “Nicholas’s shoes are way too big to fill, but I shall bring my own shoes, and work my socks off in them to keep our listeners entertained.”

Regular panellists Gyles Brandreth and Paul Merton will return for the new series, which premieres Monday 6 September 2021 on BBC Radio 4 and the BBC Sounds app.

Perkins has a long history with Just a Minute, having starred on the show 58 times as a guest. The 51-year-old made her debut appearance in 2000.

Parsons’s widow, Annie Parsons, has also commented on the appointment.

She stated that Nicholas “would be delighted to know that Just a Minute will continue long into the future under the superb guardianship of Sue Perkins, who fully understands and embraces possibly the most often repeated five words on TV or radio: ‘Without hesitation, repetition or deviation’”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in