Rachel Parris is replacing Nish Kumar as host of Late Night Mash

Virgin Radio

20 May 2022, 14:18

Nish Kumar announced towards the end of last year that he would be leaving popular satirical show Late Night Mash, and now it has been revealed that Rachel Parris will be taking over as new host.

The show, which is on Dave, is a continuation of The Mash Report, which aired on BBC Two for four series. With Nish Kumar leaving after one series of Late Night Mash, comedian Rachel Parris didn't give much away regarding whether she would be taking over as host when we exclusively spoke to her recently. 

Amid rumours she could take over the role she said: “Yeah, I would miss Nish so much. But I love the show. And yeah, I'd love for it to continue in that way if that was the right thing for it. So who knows?”

Now that the rumours have been confirmed, Rachel - who has been a regular on the show since its BBC days - said in a statement: “I'm very excited and honoured to be taking the helm of Late Night Mash, a show I would honestly describe as ‘funny’”.

She continued: “I'm excited partly because of the significance of being a female host on a satirical show on British TV, and partly because after five years, it'll be nice to have a sit down.”

Speaking about Nish Kumar’s decision to leave the show, she said: “I'll really miss working with my good friend Nish and giving him words of encouragement. I think he did really well and it will stand him in good stead to start his comedy career.”

Rachel concluded: “Mash, like a proverbial rash, keeps coming back just when you think we're gone, and I'm proud to represent that irritation. Mash forever!”

When Nish Kumar announced that he would be leaving Late Night Mash, he said: “I think personally, I'm really proud of the episodes we did and it just felt like a good moment for me to try something different.”

The second series of Late Night Mash will air on Dave later this year.

Read our exclusive interview with Rachel Parris about her debut book, Advice From Strangers, here.