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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel & Charlotte McIntyre

BBC radio host forced to quit after 12 years in 'frustrating' exit

Another radio star is leaving the BBC as the Reverend Richard Coles tells fans he's moving on from his show Saturday Live after 12 years.

Rev. Coles is leaving the BBC Radio 4 programme following the announcement that the channel will relocate the show to Cardiff.

The former Strictly star told fans it was not his decision to move the programme and he's not happy with the way BBC bosses handled his exit, as writes The Mirror.

Coles co-hosts the show with Nikki Bedi and the pair's final programme will air this Saturday.

Speaking to The Guardian, he expressed his sadness that his exit didn't get much publicity - and neither did the date of his last show.

Coles said: “If you leave a programme after 12 years, a gentler process would have been nice. But what happens happens.

"It just feels a little bit rushed. It’s been frustrating for me having to wait for an announcement, and now it’s my last programme on Saturday. I’d rather have had a longer goodbye to listeners.”

“It just feels a bit sad. I’m sorry to go; I’ve loved the programme, I’ve loved the people I’ve worked with, and it’s been a big part of my life. I shall miss it," he added to The Guardian.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Richard has been brilliant on Saturday mornings and very much continues to be part of the Radio 4 family. We look forward to working with him on future projects.”

Saturday Live's move to Cardiff is part of the broadcaster's wider strategy to move programmes outside of London.

In Richard's original statement, shared by the BBC, he said: "After more than a decade on Saturday Live the time has come to do something different, spend some time on other projects and get my weekends back. I look forward to reappearing on the network in the future and wish the best to Nikki as Saturday Live continues."

Coles' departure is one in a long line of big stars that have recently stepped down from their roles on BBC radio.

In January we reported Ken Bruce quit his BBC Radio 2 morning show after 31 years on air.

Ken announced he was leaving the show, telling listeners it was "time for a change". He said: "It's been a tremendously happy time for me: I've made many friends and worked with many wonderful colleagues. However, I feel that after 45 years of full-time broadcasting on BBC Radio, it's time for a change."

He will be replaced by Vernon Kay in May, with Gary Davies presenting the 09:30-12:00 programme in the interim.

This week we reported Paul O'Grady has landed a new role at Boom Radio, just months after his departure from BBC Radio 2.

The presenter was a star feature on Radio 2 for 14 years before he decided to quit after a string of hosts were axed by bosses.

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