Jonathan Ross, one of the nation’s best-loved presenters and film critics, is joining Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station, as the new host of its blockbuster film music programme – Saturday Night at the Movies.

A huge fan and collector of movie soundtracks, Jonathan will present every Saturday from 7pm to 9pm on Classic FM. In addition, fans will be able to listen on demand at any time on Global Player – Global’s entertainment hub. Launching this weekend (11th March), Jonathan’s first programme will be an Oscars special, as he features music from some of the contending films at the 95th Academy Awards – which take place on Sunday – as well as celebrating notable winners of the past.

Saturday Night at the Movies is Classic FM’s flagship film music programme. Every week, it is packed with iconic scores by composers including Ennio Morricone, John Williams, John Barry and Bernard Herrmann, alongside cult classics and the latest soundtracks from names such as Hans Zimmer, Wendy Carlos, Rachel Portman, Kris Bowers, Hildur Guðnadóttir and Alexandre Desplat.

Classic FM has a long history of embracing and championing film music. It has become integral to the station’s daily music selection, alongside all-time greats by composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Bach, as well as sporting anthems and video game soundtracks. In addition, 2023 marks 20 years of Classic FM broadcasting a weekly programme dedicated to movie music.

Jonathan will present Saturday Night at the Movies on Classic FM alongside his work on ITV, including The Jonathan Ross Show.

He joins an all-star stellar line-up of presenters at Classic FM, including Alexander Armstrong, Myleene Klass, Moira Stuart, Alan Titchmarsh, Andrew Marr, Margherita Taylor, Charlotte Hawkins and Aled Jones.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Classic FM family. My love of films has been well documented, but my love of film scores is an even greater passion and I’m very much looking forward to sharing that with the listeners. If you love film scores and want to revisit the classics, as well as have me share a few of the more obscure delights from my vast collection, then I hope you’ll make it a date to join me at the movies on Classic FM every Saturday evening.” - JONATHAN ROSS

“It is fantastic that Jonathan is joining Classic FM as the new host of Saturday Night at the Movies. He is, of course, an acclaimed and popular broadcaster, but it’s his passion and knowledge of a huge array of films, and the music that threads through them, that make him the perfect host every Saturday evening. Jonathan is a true fan; and I know our current listeners, and anyone tuning in for the first time, will love joining him to enjoy iconic music alongside his insight into great films and their soundtracks.” - PHILIP NOYCE, CLASSIC FM’S MANAGING EDITOR

Saturday Night at the Movies with Jonathan Ross – every Saturday from 7pm to 9pm on Classic FM – available across the UK on Global Player, DAB Digital Radio and TV, 100-102 FM and at ClassicFM.com.