Romesh: I shouldn't be anywhere near SNL UK

Comic says he'd turn down any offer to host the show

comedy He’s got a reputation for ubiquity, but Romesh Ranganathan has revealed one job in TV that he would turn down: hosting Saturday Night Live UK.

The comic praised the show for its unexpected success and for giving exposure to new talent but said: ‘I don't think I should be anywhere near it.’

He also suggested he wasn’t a big enough name to generate a ‘wow’ factor as a guest host.

Speaking on his Wolf & Owl podcast with Tom Davis in response to a listener’s question, Ranganathan said: ‘Everybody thought it was going to be an absolute [disaster]. The way people talked about it being so difficult for a live sketch show to work on UK television.

‘And they've made it successful. We both know some really good people who are working on it and I do think it's great that we've got some new faces… because TV comedy hasn't been what it has been in the past.

‘With that in mind, I don't think I should be anywhere near it. I don't think they'll ask me – and I’m just speaking personally – but if they did ask me, I would say no.

‘I've got no intention – they’ve not asked me by the way – but I wouldn't go on SNL UK.’

He also said: 'Nobody is gonna go – and no disrespect to either of us – "holy fuck, they managed to get..."' either himself or Davis.

The show has been renewed for a second series, returning to Sky in the autumn.