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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zoe Delaney

Nicki Chapman says goodbye to Radio 2 listeners but issues statement on BBC future

It's all change over at BBC Radio 2 once again as Nicki Chapman bids farewell to her early morning listeners.

The Pop Idol legend, 56, took to Twitter to let her fans know her time in the 'damn early' seat had come to an end after spending the last few weeks hosting the slot and entertaining a nation of early risers and people working late shifts.

Nicki's announcement comes as listeners get used to major changes at Radio 2 - with some ditching the state-funded broadcaster and tuning into different stations following a huge shake-up to the presenting team.

Radio 2 has been introducing younger hosts over recent years, with veteran stars like Paul O'Grady, Ken Bruce and Steve Wright making way for new presenters like former Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills and comedian Rob Beckett.

Nicki Chapman has been a popular voice on radio airwaves over recent years (Getty Images)
The music PR regularly presents on BBC Radio 2 as a stand-in presenter (Twitter/@Nicki_Chapman)

Listening figures released earlier this month revealed Radio 2 is reported to have lost just over half a million listeners over 12 months amid the changes - down 3.9 per cent.

Addressing her departure from the early morning hot seat last week, Nicki thanked her listeners for tuning in and reassured them she would be back on Radio 2 airwaves once again in the future.

"Friday Finale," Nicki began when captioning a series of snaps of herself in the BBC studio.

Nicki's fans worried it was a permanent goodbye to her Radio 2 listeners (Instagram/nickichappers)

"Last time sitting in the hot seat or should that be damn early seat on @BBCRadio2.

"Massive thanks to all the fabulous late shifters, truckers & early birds who have let me be part of this wonderful community at silly o'clock & for your lovely messages today."

One of the star's Twitter followers feared it was a permanent goodbye, asking Nicki on February 10: "Last time ever? I love the skirt by the way."

Nicki's shows are a big hit with listeners (Twitter/@Nicki_Chapman)
Frankie Bridge was tuned in earlier this week (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

The radio presenter quickly cleared things up, replying: "Last time covering early breakfast but pleased to say still part of the R2 Family x."

Nicki, who was a key figure during the 90s/00s pop music era, thanks to working with Simon Fuller and his management company 19 Entertainment, has been a regular presenter on Radio 2 over the years, regularly filling in for Zoe Ball on the Breakfast Show and Vanessa Feltz on Early Breakfast.

Since Graham Norton's departure from the station, the popular star has also been hosting The Saturday Show with Nicki Chapman since the start of 2021.

Nicki's time on Radio 2 caused a pop culture talking point earlier this week, as Frankie Bridge learned just how close pal Rylan came to singing alongside her in S Club Juniors back in the day.

Frankie shared her shock on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday (Instagram/rylan)
Rylan joked Nicki made a mistake not spotting his talents back in the day (Getty Images for Orion Books)

"Just heard that @nickichappers said on @bbcradio2 that Rylan auditioned for S Club Juniors [shocked face emoji]," the Loose Women star told her followers on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday.

She went on to add: "How did I not know this?! The fun we could have had!"

Thanks to her position in the music industry, Nicki was involved in creating the S Club Juniors line-up from thousands of hopefuls on the television series S Club Search in 2001.

Reposting Frankie's Instagram Story on his own page today, Rylan cheekily added: "@nickichappers describes it as the biggest mistake she ever made (jokes)."

The It Takes Two presenter, 33, often pokes fun at his desire to join the band as a teenager, tweeting in April 2020: "Today’s thought: I’ll still never get over the fact I didn’t get into S Club Juniors tbh."

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