**Romesh Ranganathan Announces Career Slowdown, Stresses He Is Not Retiring**
Popular British comedian Romesh Ranganathan has revealed plans to decelerate his career, expressing a desire to spend more time at home. Despite the shift, the stand-up star and television presenter has reassured fans that this is not a step towards retirement.
Speaking candidly to Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4’s renowned ‘Desert Island Discs’, the 47-year-old described his intentions to cut back on his workload, clarifying that he possesses no overarching strategy or final destination for his career. Rather, Ranganathan shared that his decisions are guided by what feels right in the moment, with no reliance on long-term plans or “vision boards”.
Romesh Ranganathan is a familiar face for audiences across the UK, particularly known for co-hosting the BAFTA-winning series ‘Rob And Romesh Vs’ alongside fellow comedian Rob Beckett. His television presence also extends to hosting the revived game show ‘The Weakest Link’, as well as starring in the BBC One sitcom ‘Avoidance’. Despite his busy schedule, he now feels compelled to restore a better balance between work and home life.
During the interview, Ranganathan remarked on his new perspective, stating, “I do feel like I’m sort of settling into winding things up – not ending things, but winding them down a little. I want to be at home a bit more.” He was also quick to underscore that this does not signal an imminent retirement: “By the way, this is not an announcement of retirement, but I do feel like, recently, I am probably going to just be a bit more measured in what I do going forward.”
The comedian explained his thinking further, noting that he might introduce longer breaks between projects. Alluding to the unpredictable nature of showbusiness, he admitted, “I’ve told you, I’ve not hit the thing yet; maybe this next thing could be it, but it’s not going to be it if I don’t go off and just live life.” It is clear that, for Ranganathan, experiencing life outside the studio is now equally important.
Offering some insight into his pre-entertainment career, Ranganathan reflected on his time as a mathematics teacher before embarking on comedy. He admitted that teaching was a deeply fulfilling but intensely stressful occupation. “There wasn’t a single day of that job that I didn’t feel completely fulfilled,” he said, but added, “It’s the most stressed I’ve ever been in my life actually. There’s not been a single day of my comedy career that’s even come close to the stress that I felt as a teacher.” He was also keen to praise the profession: “I cannot speak highly enough of teachers and teaching and how I loved that job.”
Romesh Ranganathan’s comedic and presenting credits stretch far beyond stand-up. He fronted the BBC Two documentary series ‘The Misadventures Of Romesh Ranganathan’, exploring global locations well off the beaten path, and delved into his family’s heritage in BBC Three’s ‘Asian Provocateur’. In 2024, he took over Claudia Winkleman’s popular Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2 and continues to share his passion for music through ‘Romesh Ranganathan: For The Love Of Hip Hop’.
Ranganathan’s honest and open remarks may come as a surprise to some, given his prolific presence across television and radio in recent years. However, his desire to seek a more measured approach to work and life echoes a sentiment increasingly expressed by public figures—the importance of mental health and personal fulfilment.
While Ranganathan is not thinking about retirement, his decision to “take a step back” demonstrates a growing awareness of the demands placed on those in the public eye. Fans can expect to see him return in new projects, albeit at a slower and more considered pace.
The comedian’s reflections offer food for thought on the realities of life in the spotlight and the personal choices that come with success. For now, audiences can look forward to Ranganathan’s continued presence, balanced by his commitment to family life and well-being.