Entertainment
Paul O’Grady stepping down from BBC Radio 2 show after 14 years with final programme to air on Sunday-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro
He’ll be missed!
Paul O’Grady is stepping down from Radio 2 (Picture: Rex)
Paul O’Grady is leaving his BBC Radio 2 show, with his final programme to air just days from now.
Radio 2 announced on Tuesday that presenter Paul had decided to leave his Sunday afternoon show on the network, and have stated they are ‘sorry to see him go.’
Paul’s final programme will air on Sunday, 14 August as he comes to the end of his current 13-week run of shows.
Confirming the news on Tuesday, Paul explained that he believes now is the ‘right time’ to leave the show, after hosting it for a whopping 14 years.
He 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.’
Head of Radio 2 Helen Thomas thanked Paul for ‘so many years of his brilliant Sunday afternoon show’ and wished him the best of luck, while also suggesting he would always be welcome back.
The star has hosted the show for a whopping 14 years (Picture: Getty Images)
She said: ‘I’d like to thank Paul for so many years of his brilliant Sunday afternoon show.
‘I’m sorry to see him go, but I wish Paul the very best of luck for the future and hope to work with him again as the door is always open to him here at Radio 2.’
After announcing he would be getting his own show in 2008, Paul launched his weekly show in the Sunday timeslot in 2009.
His programme also offered plenty of quirky special episodes.
BBC Radio 2 have suggested he would always be welcome back (Picture: ITV/REX)
For years, Paul ‘The Grinch’ O’Grady hosted a Christmas Day special on the network, featuring messages and dedications from listeners all over the world, as well as an eclectic seasonal playlist.
The BBC have confirmed that Paul’s final show will feature all the regular features, including a Lost TV Theme, the Thank You Letter of the Week and an unexpected playlist.
Plus, they teased that producer Malcolm will pick another unsuitable song for a wedding anniversary, and the presenter will explore a ‘dubious’ cocktail recipe.
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Paul’s final episode will air on Sunday, and will be replaced the following Sunday, 21 August, by Rob Beckett.
Rob returns for previously-planned 13-week run of shows, with future plans for Paul’s empty slot to be announced at a later date.
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