Bafta-nominated comedian Romesh Ranganathan has been announced as the new curator of Radio 4’s The Museum of Curiosity.

The show’s host, the ‘Professor of Ignorance’ John Lloyd, is joined by a different curator each series, and together they invite three panellists a week to donate an item which fascinates them to the fictional museum.

Ranganathan says: “It’s a genuine honour to be asked to be curator for The Museum of Curiosity. I am excited to see how long it takes for them to realise that my booking was an awful mistake.” 

Since making his comedy debut in 2010, Ranganathan has become one of most celebrated names on the circuit. After making his mark on BBC Radio as the host of Radio 4 Extra’s Newsjack, Romesh went on to create the hugely successful BBC Three series Asian Provocateur, which was nominated for Best Entertainment Performance at the Bafta TV Awards 2016.

He has also made appearances on the likes of Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show, BBC1’s Live at the Apollo and Have I Got News for You, BBC2’s Mock the Week, and Channel 4’s The Last Leg, Stand Up for the Week and Big Fat Quiz of the Year.

He was previously a maths teacher and head of sixth form, making him the perfect companion for the ‘Professor’.

John Lloyd, co-creator and host of The Museum of Curiosity, says: “I’m absolutely delighted that Romesh will be joining us this series. He’s one of the funniest, smartest, nicest people I know and the perfect addition to the long line of distinguished curators it’s been my privilege to work with.”

Previous guest curators have been Jo Brand, Noel Fielding, Bill Bailey, Sean Lock, Sarah Millican and Jimmy Carr.

The Museum of Curiosity will return for its eleventh series this summer.

Picture by Andy Hollingworth.