Graham Norton the favourite to take over Jonathan Ross’ Radio 2 slot

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Gay television presenter Graham Norton has been tipped as the favourite to take over Jonathan Ross’ BBC Radio 2 slot when Ross leaves this summer.

Ross is to leave the BBC in July and as yet, no successor for his Saturday morning radio show has been announced.

But sources at the BBC say that Norton is being considered to step into Ross’ shoes and last week, Radio 2 host Sarah Kennedy told her listeners that Norton would be given a show.

“I’ve just learned Graham Norton is joining us full-time on Radio 2. That’ll be nice,” she said.

Norton is covering for Chris Evans for two weeks while Evans is on holiday.

A spokeswoman for the station said: “Radio 2 is currently considering its options regarding the new host of the Saturday morning slot.”

Norton has also been tipped to take over Ross’ Friday evening television show, which would make him the BBC’s leading chatshow host.

Last month, he dismissed suggestions that Ross’ exit would boost his own career, saying “professionally, it doesn’t really make a difference to me”.

Ross announced in January he was leaving the BBC after 13 years and his last show will air in July.

He was expected to take a substantial paycut if his three-year contract was renewed, but denied he left over a money dispute.

He was one of the highest-paid stars on an estimated £6 million a year, although he got into hot water in the last few years over a gay adoption joke and obscene prank calls to actor Andrew Sachs.

Norton also reportedly accepted a pay cut to stay at the BBC when his contract came up for renewal at the beginning of this year.

He was said to have accepted a pay cut of £500,000, having previously been on £2.5 million a year.

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