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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Ryan Paton

Paul O' Grady 'has something up his sleeve' as Lorraine Kelly gutted by show update

Paul O'Grady has teased he has "something up his sleeve" after he quit BBC Radio 2.

The Birkenhead TV personality hosted a Sunday show alongside Malcolm Prince from 2009 until 2022. Fans were gutted when he stood down in August after 14 years.

Paul appeared on today's edition of Lorraine Kelly and the Scottish broadcaster admitted she was "sorry" to see the show go as she was a regular listener. The For the Love of Dogs star shared the secrets for the show's success.

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He said: "All of a sudden the dogs would kick off and I'd think this is so unprofessional, but people liked it. Especially during lockdown because I was locked down the same as everyone else so it's like I had the same problems."

Lorraine praised the presenter for his friendly hosting style, which prompted Paul to hint he may have something planned for the future. He said: "Well we might have something up our sleeve."

Fans were devastated when Paul announced he was stepping down from broadcasting on the BBC. The host revealed he quit after a change to the presenting schedule which meant he would be replaced by Rob Beckett for 13 weeks.

He said: "I want to say thank you very much for listening and for all your emails and all your messages and all the fun I've had over the years. And also a huge special mention to Malcolm Prince, my producer. And I've been really lucky in my time to have worked with some smashing producers, and Malcolm is way up there, believe you and me."

Paul added: "And the reason I'm leaving because everybody's asked me this. It's because I wasn't really happy with the 13 weeks on/13 weeks off business. So, I did the honourable thing and I honoured my contract, gave my notice and now I'm off. Anyway, thanks very much and good luck to everyone on Radio 2 and long may you continue!"

Deborah commented: "Oh Paul we are so sad . Radio 2 what have you done getting rid of all the great disc jockeys."

Jan added: "We didn’t like the 13 weeks either! Please don’t disappear from our lives, Paul. We need people like you. Lots of love xxx"

Christine posted: "Will miss you and Malcolm. Sundays won’t be same now but understand your reasons. It was a silly decision by Radio 2. All the best for the future xx"

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