Radio host Rev Richard Coles has spoken of his disappointment at having to leave his weekend Radio 4 show because it is being relocated to Cardiff. Saturday Live is moving to the Welsh capital from next week and the co-host has decided to leave after 12 years on the show.
The show on Saturday, March 25, will be the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant's last, and he has questioned why the BBC is making the move. In an interview with The Guardian he said: "I’d have preferred the programme to stay in London. I think it would be better. I was happy doing it and I think it’s gone from strength to strength. Moving it to Cardiff, I don’t really see how that works, but that’s not my decision – that’s other people’s decision.
“I think the programme was doing really well, actually. We (he and co-host Nikki Bedi) were both enjoying doing it and it’s a shame it can’t continue in the form it’s been in for a long time, which works, and which pleases listeners."
The broadcaster, who was in The Communards in the 1980s, also expressed his disappointment at the handling of his departure. He says his decision to leave had been made weeks ago but a statement was only put out on Tuesday, five days before the final show, and only as an additional note at the bottom of this Saturday's schedule for the programme.
He added: “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.”
He said he'll miss being part of the show. “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.”
A BBC spokesman 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.” The decision to relocate Saturday Live to Cardiff comes as part of the BBC’s Across the UK strategy, which will see it move programmes away from the capital.
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