Frank Skinner dropped from Absolute Radio

Comic loses his show after 15 years

Frank Skinner has been dropped his Absolute Radio show after 15 years.

The comic told listeners on this morning’s show that his contract with the station hadn’t been renewed.

He said on air: ‘We had a good run but I realise that in recent times I am ever-more becoming Grandad from The Simpsons

‘But even so, I’m not going to pretend I took it… well I took it well in that we’ve had 15 years and Absolute have actually been very, very good to us in those 15 years but I didn’t take it well.

‘I took it well in the way David Tennant took it well as the 10th Doctor when he started to regenerate and said, "I don’t want to go!"'

The comic said he has still got a number of Saturday-morning shows left before he leaves.

He said on the pre-recorded show: ‘My manager called, You know every year, about this time, we’ve just celebrated our 15th anniversary on the show, so obviously that means the new contract is coming, and every year I do self-deprecating jokes about the fact that we probably won’t get it renewed.

‘Guess what?! Yeah, we didn’t! So we’re not just going now, I’m not going to say "bye" and that’s the end, we’ve got some notice to serve, but um yeah… that’s it.'

He co-presents the show with Emily Dean and comedian Pierre Novellie, while previous sidekicks have also included fellow stand-ups Alun Cochrane and Gareth Richards, who died last year following a car crash.

Paul Sylvester, Absolute Radio's content director said: 'Frank has been a huge part of the Absolute Radio story and after 15 years this is truly the end of an era. We are hugely grateful for the contribution he's made to both Saturday mornings and our charity comedy nights at the London Palladium.'

'We'll share details of our future summer schedule in due course, but there's still a few more weeks to enjoy Frank, Emily and Pierre on Saturday mornings.'

Skinner is expected to leave the station in May.Skinner has just announced a return to London’s West End this summer with another run of his acclaimed stand-up show Thirty Years Of Dirt. It will run at the Gielgud Theatre for three weeks from August 5, with tickets on sale here.

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Published: 23 Mar 2024