A drastic schedule shake-up has forced multiple stars to drop their radio positions.
The bloodbath shakeup from the BBC left some big names in an awkward position, deciding to drop their roles entirely. Over the last few weeks, multiple presenters have suggested they had no control over the change in radio slots, prompting them to quit.
The voice of BBC Radio 1, Scott Mills, was with the station for over 20 years but has had his show axed in order to accommodate the BBC's new plans. He, along with fellow host Chris Stark, are being moved over to BBCR2 after the shake-up left a vacancy in the station.
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BBCR2 has been hit the hardest as multiple big-name celebrities walk away from their roles after sitting with them for over a decade. Fan favourites including Paul O'Grady and Vanessa Feltz all told their listeners they would be stepping down before thanking them for their support.
Paul O'Grady
Paul O'Grady quit his Radio 2 Sunday afternoon show after 14 years. The presenter, 67, was replaced on the show for a spell by comedian Rob Beckett in a schedule change which prompted the Lily Savage star to leave. In a statement, Paul said: "I've loved doing my Sunday afternoon show for the last 14 years and I'm going to miss my listeners as well as the fun I've had with my producer Malcolm Prince, but I feel that now is the right time to go."
The BBC said: "We’re sad to say that after 14 years on Sunday afternoons, Paul O’Grady has decided to leave Radio 2. We wish Paul the very best of luck and hope to work with him again in the future."
Paul's last programme on the station was last week as he came to the end of his 13-week run of shows, the Mirror reported.
Vanessa Feltz
Vanessa, 60, told Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show listeners last month she was leaving the station in August. The Celebrity Big Brother star also bid farewell to her BBC Radio London Breakfast Show (7am-10am) after nearly 20 years.
In a statement, Vanessa said "I have loved every moment with my Radio 2 'Early Birds' and will miss my Lovely Listeners, Jolly Good Fellows and beloved friends and colleagues at Radio 2 with all my heart. However, after almost 12 blissful years, I now need to step down to catch up on a much-needed decade’s deficit of beauty sleep!
"It’s been an honour and privilege to be the Breakfast voice of BBC Radio London for 20 years and although I’m leaving the show, I’ll continue to expect hugs from my lovely listeners when I see them on the streets of London!"
Discussing the presenter's pending exit, Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: "For almost 12 years, Vanessa has made her live weekday Early Breakfast Show her very own kingdom, and I’d like to thank her wholeheartedly for the thousands of middle-of-the-night starts she’s made to entertain the Radio 2 listeners."
Steve Wright
Steve, 67, will bid farewell to Wright in the Afternoon, which is broadcast each weekday from 2-5pm, at the end of September. He will be replaced by Scott Mills, 49, who will host a brand new show from 2-4pm, launching in the autumn.
As he left Wogan House after the news was announced, the veteran DJ told reporters ''That's the way it goes." He said: "You know, sometimes people want you, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they want to make changes, give you another offer, and that's okay, I understand that, I really understand that."
The shake-up caused a huge divide among listeners, prompting Steve to address the furore on his Sunday Love Songs show. He said: "Before we start the show proper, if I may, I'd just like to say thank you ever so much for all the messages that have come in, over the weekend after I announced on Friday on the afternoon that we are leaving the afternoon show.
He added: "Thank you very much for the kind words. It really, really means a lot and I'm back on afternoons until the Autumn."
Craig Charles
Sadly for fans, Craig Charles' House Party - which currently airs Saturdays from 10pm–midnight - will come to an end. RuPaul's Drag Race star Michelle Visage will kick off the change in proceedings with her own show in a primetime Friday night spot as well as series two of her BBC Sounds podcast, Michelle Visage's Rule Breakers.
Speaking after the announcement, Craig said: "Every party must come to an end and although I'm packing up my Trunk of Funk on Radio 2, I've loved bringing the party to its funky listeners each Saturday night."
However, Craig can still be heard on BBC Radio 6 Music each weekday, from 1-4pm, and The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show - which airs Saturday nights, 6-9pm.
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