Holland: my new co-hosts on ‘Later...’ play second fiddle

JOOLS HOLLAND has resisted the BBC’S efforts to sideline him from the music show that bears his name, as he insists his new, younger “co-hosts” will not “present” the programme.

The host of BBC Two’s Later … with Jools Holland said the new line-up were not “co-presenters” because they will not be “presenting much”.

The BBC announced the decision to revamp the show in March, after BBC Studios retained the contract to produce the long-running live music series for a further two years.

The new format will pair Holland, 61, with co-hosts on Friday evenings, including Mark Ronson, 44, the musician and producer, and Jessie Ware, 34, the singer.

Despite being a cornerstone of latenight television since 1992, Later … was subject to increasing criticism as its 53rd series aired, with Holland himself calling it “dark and gloomy”.

But as the BBC pushes to diversify its programmes, Holland has insisted that he is not going anywhere.

“For a long time I’ve looked at it and thought it was a bit dark and gloomy and maybe we could have more fun with it but, importantly, holding on to its core values. And one of its core values is me,” he told Radio Times.

“What we’re talking about really is getting artists and record producers to come and help co-curate the show. That’s what it’s about,” said Holland.

A BBC spokesman said that Holland would stay at the “heart of the show” while using the 54th series to “refresh the look and feel”.