The BBC's flagship political programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, is undergoing a temporary presenter shake-up this weekend, with Victoria Derbyshire stepping in to host the show. Laura Kuenssberg, the regular host and prominent political journalist, announced the change during last week's broadcast, confirming she will take a break over the half-term period.
Temporary Replacement Announced On Air
During the February 8 edition of the programme, Kuenssberg revealed that her colleague Victoria Derbyshire would be assuming hosting duties for the upcoming Sunday broadcast on February 15. Kuenssberg, 49, made the announcement while concluding the show, which featured interviews with Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart, and Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth.
"Victoria is here next week. But I'll be here later with Paddy O'Connell for Sunday's Newscast," Kuenssberg told viewers. She added, "I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks a week on Sunday. Same time, same place."
Derbyshire's Role and Return Schedule
Victoria Derbyshire, who currently fronts BBC Newsnight, will present the Sunday morning political show this weekend. According to reports, Kuenssberg is scheduled to return to her regular hosting role the following Sunday, maintaining the programme's usual format and timing.
The change comes as part of broader scheduling adjustments at the BBC this month, which have affected several popular programmes. These adjustments are primarily due to coverage of major sporting events, including the Winter Olympics and football matches.
Broader BBC Schedule Adjustments
BBC viewers have witnessed several programming changes recently. Morning Live has temporarily moved to BBC Two to accommodate Winter Olympics coverage, while the popular revival series Gladiators has experienced schedule shifts to make way for football broadcasts.
In an official release, the BBC confirmed specific timing changes for Gladiators: "On February 14, if the football finishes in 90 minutes, Gladiators will air at 20:00. On February 21, Gladiators will air at 19:15." These adjustments demonstrate the corporation's ongoing efforts to balance regular programming with major sporting events.
Programme Details and Availability
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg continues to air on BBC and BBC iPlayer every Sunday at 9am. The programme remains a key platform for political discussion and interviews with senior figures from across the political spectrum.
The temporary host change represents a minor disruption to the show's regular presentation, but maintains continuity with another experienced BBC journalist at the helm. Derbyshire's appointment ensures the programme's high standards of political journalism continue uninterrupted during Kuenssberg's brief absence.
