On July 12, 2023, Laurent Ruquier created a surprise by announcing his departure from France Télévisions after years of good and loyal service. A news that the famous animator shared with his fans on social networks. “I have worked for the public service for twenty-three seasons”, he wrote before thanking his collaborators, but also “viewers for their constantly renewed trust and loyalty. This confidence, for three seasons, I no longer have from the management of France 2. It’s a shame but that’s the way it is. I could have continued to quietly present Les Enfants de la télé but I still have other desires, other ambitions and unfortunately I see from year to year the reduction in my broadcasts, since I have still learned – Only end of June ! – that there would be no bonus for Big Heads or Children of TV next season. This is the last sign that confirmed to me that it was time to think about other horizons”.
“As I write these words, I cannot guarantee that you will find me on another channel at the start of the school year. The deadlines are short to appear in the September program schedules already ready for the most part. Regardless, I’ve been so spoiled already.I’m thinking especially of Philippe Thuillier’s teams who have surrounded me in recent years and who I hope will soon find new projects. In the meantime, I would have the joy of seeing you again at the end of August on RTL for my ninth season of Big Heads and it will be for my great pleasure, with always the same motivation. So I say see you very soon, he added in a second publication.
A new start on BFMTV
If the rumors seemed to indicate that Laurent Ruquier was in talks with TF1 for a possible contract at the start of the school year, things have obviously taken another turn. Indeed, this Saturday, July 15, BFMTV officially announced the arrival of the host on its antenna. From Monday to Thursday, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., Hugo Manos’ companion will be alongside Julie Hammett for the 2023/2024 season. Proud of this new start, the member of the Big heads says to himself “very happy to join BFMTV, the reference news channel which offers me the chance to return to what has always fascinated me: the news, whether political, sporting, cultural or societal. This new challenge will be the ‘opportunity for me to process and discuss information, both by leaving room for the live but also by taking the time to reflect on events about which we sometimes tend to react too quickly without bringing the necessary nuances As I have always done for thirty years, whether at my beginnings on France Inter or for twenty years on the public service, I will give voice to different ideas. […]”
See also: Laurent Ruquier leaves France 2 for TF1, his salty update!
“I no longer felt wanted”
If Laurent Ruquier is about to join Marc-Olivier Fogiel, the way his career with France Télévisions ended leaves him with a bitter taste. Yet the outcome was inevitable. According to information published by Le Parisien / Today in France on Tuesday, relations between the television man and the group gradually deteriorated. “For three years, I no longer felt wanted by the management”, notably entrusted the acolyte of Paul El Kharrat in the columns of our colleagues. Moreover, he would not have appreciated having to share the reins ofWe are live with Lea Salame.
“For the first time, the latter threatens to slam the door. But during a final meeting, Delphine Ernotte, the president of the France Télévisions group, comes to bring everyone back to reason”, reports the daily. And a member of the group concludes: “These disappointments prompted France 2 to say that Laurent Ruquier was perhaps no longer essential to the grid”. Laurent Ruquier had obviously reached a point of no return…
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