Matthew Wright is leaving Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff after 18 years on air.
Channel 5 and the presenter today announced he is to step down from hosting its weekday current affairs programme The Wright Stuff.
Matthew Wright said: “After almost 18 glorious years on Channel 5 and the show flying high in the ratings, I feel it’s time to move and try my hand at something new.”
Ben Frow, Director of Programmes, Channel 5 added: “We would like to thank Matthew for his passion, hard work and enthusiasm over the last 18 years and for making the show what it is today. He will be sorely missed and we wish him all the very best for the future.”
Speaking on his show on May 1, Matthew said the “demands” after more than 18 years were too much.
“There is not a lot to say really, other than the fact – you know better than most – the demands of getting up for a daytime show,” he said. “I’m not going to equate it with digging roads, which is hard as well, but the old brain! I’m up at three o’clock in the morning these days. I go to bed at half seven. I’ve had 18 and a half years of it.
“Mrs Wright, we pass like ships in the night. And you are looking around thinking at some point you have got to have a change.”
Matthew’s exit follows reported rows with producers in March.
The Daily Mail had claimed that the host had refused to apologise for one of his guest’s comments.
He was apparently told to say sorry for a comment made by The Chase star Anne Hegerty to transgender activist Paris Lees about being born a boy while discussing the gender pay gap.
But Matthew refused and missed the next show.
“Matthew was steaming and told them, ‘Fine, I won’t do the show then. I don’t see why I have to apologise for one of my guests stating a medical fact. It’s the truth.’,” a source told the tabloid at the time.
The insider also claimed Matthew was left “really upset” when it said he was ‘off sick’ the following episode.
