Nikki Bedi has presented her final episode of Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4. Guests on her last programme included TV writer, author, comedian, and former doctor Adam Kay; Kevin Rowland – front man of Dexy’s Midnight Runners, and Anna Whitwam who found an outlet for grief in boxing.
Adrian Chiles will begin presenting Saturday Live for the next series when it returns on 6 September and will be the sole host. He remains presenting on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Nikki will continue to host The Arts Hour on the BBC World Service and The Arts Hour On Tour, a show which travels to different cities in the world bringing that country’s biggest and brightest creatives in their fields, together, for a spirited debate before a live audience. Previous episodes have recorded in Bangkok, Bucharest and St Louis in the USA. She has also hosted a range of cultural programmes across BBC News including Discovering the World’s Culture and Encounter Culture.
Nikki Bedi says: “I have loved presenting Saturday Live for the past 5 years. Thank you for having me in your ears. It’s been both a joy and a privilege to hear and be a conduit for so many extraordinary guests’ stories. Thank you to the wonderful Cardiff team who work so hard every week to put the show together. I look forward to new adventures on Radio 4.”
Adrian Chiles says: “I’ve always enjoyed Saturday Live, both as a listener and occasional guest. And it was great to co-present alongside Nikki earlier this year. I know what a great relationship she’s had with the Saturday Live audience, and I hope to bring the same warmth, interest and sense of fun to Saturday mornings on Radio 4.”
Mohit Bakaya, BBC Director of Speech and Controller of Radio 4 says: “I want to thank Nikki for her excellent stewardship of Saturday Live over the past five years, with its eclectic mix of insightful and lively conversations each week. I’m delighted to welcome Adrian to Radio 4 and look forward to his distinctive blend of curiosity, humour and intelligence on Saturday mornings from September.”
Saturday Live moved to Wales two years ago as part of the BBC’s Across the UK commitment to broadcasting more content outside of London. Adrian will continue to present the programme from Cardiff.
PS