Jeremy has got so much Stuff to do...
RADIO 2 presenter Jeremy Vine is about to become the busiest person in showbiz.
As well as his two-hour show every weekday, he has signed up to replace Matthew Wright on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, which involves 500 hours of telly a year.
That means Jezza will be on the box for two hours from 9.15am every morning before dashing across London from ITN to BBC Broadcasting House in time for his radio show to start at midday.
When he will fit in meetings about the next day’s programmes – either TV or radio – is anyone’s guess.
And he’s also expected to continue with Points of View, Eggheads and Panorama, not to mention the Beeb’s election specials.
Perhaps his decision was prompted by the BBC’s much-publicised decision to slash his £700,000 salary.
But the dad-of-two insisted at the time he had no difficulty with the cut, having already asked his bosses how they could justify his pay.
He said: “I support my female colleagues who have rightly said they should be paid the same when they are doing the same job. It is just a no-brainer.”
The C5 show will get a new name when the 53-year-old takes over in September (Vine Time? Make Mine a Vine?) and his appointment comes after Matthew earlier this year announced his departure after an impressive 18-year stint.
Yesterday Jeremy said: “Matthew Wright has built a brilliant show that’s a big part of the British TV landscape.
“I’m delighted to be carrying on all the conversations he has started, with all the guests he’s made me feel I know over the years.
“Radio 2 has a beautiful editorial overlap with the serious but accessible agenda of this show. I am proud to be Channel 5’s choice.”
C5 boss Ben Frow is delighted by his signing. He says: “Jeremy Vine is a brilliant broadcaster whose supreme ability to make challenging stories accessible to a wider audience, not to mention his intellect, energy and wit, makes him the perfect choice.”
He’ll certainly need that energy...