Nish Kumar confirmed as new host of Newsjack

Stand-up Nish Kumar will host the new series of Newsjack when it begins on BBC Radio 4 Extra later this month.

Cariad Lloyd, Mike Wozniak, Chris Kendall and Lolly Adefope have also been confirmed for the new series today.

Kumar said: “I’m really excited to be hosting Newsjack. I’m a huge fan of encouraging new writers and also of myself so in many ways this is a match made in heaven.”

Caroline Raphael, Commissioning Editor for Radio 4 Extra, says: “I am delighted Nish Kumar is to be the new presenter of Newsjack. This is a very important show for Radio 4 Extra, supporting rising comedy talent as it does both behind and in front of the microphone.

“Radio 4 Extra brings a wealth of archive programming to listeners and Newsjack ensures that we support, train and showcase lots of new talent who will one day create the archive of the future – with their own wonderful shows.”

Now in its 12th series, Newsjack is a six-part topical comedy show made especially for Radio 4 Extra. It has an open-door policy to writing – anyone can send in material to be performed by the cast.

Sketches and one-liners written by the public are accepted for every episode and several now-established comedy writers got their start writing for Newsjack.

Past submitters have gone on to forge careers in comedy-writing for radio and television, including shows such as The News Quiz, Tom Wrigglesworth’s Hang Ups and Dead Ringers.

The last series of Newsjack was presented by Romesh Ranganathan.