He added that it was time to "hang up his headphones" and "run free". However, Paul O'Grady has admitted he is leaving his BBC Radio 2 program because he "wasn't very thrilled" with the changes made to the schedule that made him share the position with another presenter, Rob Beckett. Paul O'Grady - Biography - IMDb The news comes after a recent change up at the station saw O'Grady sharing his . Absence explained. Paul O'Grady said in a statement on Tuesday he "loved" doing his Sunday afternoon show but feels it is the "right time to go" Paul O'Grady slams Radio 2 saying station is 'not what it was' I live on a farm in Kent and I ended up talking to my pigs! When lost listeners get bored of the ad breaks on these commercial shows, something tells me that Radio 2 will be there to greet them like an old friend. Secret husband Friends say he had given a commitment not to say anything that could embarrass the BBC in the remaining weeks of his contract, making him all the more surprised by the decision to end his show earlier than expected. After 14 years, you left your Radio 2 show last year, handing in your notice after being . Watch: Paul O'Grady explains reasons for leaving Radio 2 after 14 years. Ta-ra everyone.". Half a million listeners have already tuned out of the station in the past year, and Bruces departure will no doubt cost them more. The 67-year-old will be replaced by ex-Radio 1 host Scott Mills, 49. Paul O'Grady reveals real reason he quit Radio 2 show Paul O'Grady has hit out at BBC Radio 2 for allowing Ken Bruce to depart the station. An industry insider said the move by the BBC made the broadcaster look 'very ungracious' about Bruce's 'decades of service'. Paul O'Grady has revealed the real reason he's quit his BBC Radio 2 show, after presenting it for 14 years. Producer: The Paul O'Grady Show. 'Doing my best' Paul O'Grady breaks silence as BBC Radio 2 show off air Ken Bruce will host his last ever Radio 2 show today, two months after he confirmed he would be moving on after 31 years at the BBC station. One furious fan tweeted: Whose idea is it to replace @PaulOGradyShow with @robbeckettcomic even for 13 weeks? InJanuary, when Bruce announced his departure, former Radio 2 DJ Vanessa feltz accused the . You can unsubscribe at any time. Ken explained his reasons for leaving Radio 2 in his quote and on air, the BBC previously told The Independent when approached about allegations of ageism from listeners. Paul O'Grady has expressed his "disappointment" with BBC Radio 2, saying "it's not what it was". Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, wished him luck for the future and said she was "sorry to see him go". 'To be asked to step into those big shoes it was a big deep breath, I'll be honest with you. Why do they never ask the listeners for their views? Paul has recently decided to quit BBC Radio 2 after 14 years and his final show aired on Sunday (August 14). , updated Rory Tingle For Mailonline. Read about our approach to external linking. He is the latest in a string of older DJs to step back, including Steve Wright, Graham Norton and Simon Mayo. "So thank you very much," he ended the personal message before moving on with his usual weekend staples. Paul James O'Grady was born on 14 June 1955 in Birkenhead, England. Paul admitted it was a "marriage of convenience", saying he wedded Teresa Fernandes in 1977 to stop her from being deported. His last show included many of his popular segments, including providing the recipe for a Hawaiian-style cocktail and paying tribute to listeners' pets that have recently died. Born on June 14, 1955 in Birkenhead, before he hit the big time, TV star Paul O' Grady performed as Lily Savage in the 80s. For starters, the figures of listeners deserting the station might seem startling 580,000 people, according to the audience research body Rajar but in the context of Radio 2s 14 million weekly listeners, there is a long way to go until its total collapse. This article contains content provided by Instagram. Paul O'Grady leaves Sunday Radio 2 show after 14 years. The former Lily Savage star has been hosting a Sunday evening show on the station from 5pm until 7pm since 2009. Paul O'Grady expresses 'disappointment' with BBC Radio 2 Paul O'Grady leaves Sunday Radio 2 show after 14 years. Radio 2 "is not what it was" and its quest for a younger audience makes no sense, according to Paul O'Grady, who departed the station last year. Its a one-off special and, if youd like a shoutout, for your friends or family, email now, But be quick: February 2022. its first come first served, #NotTheSameWithoutYOU pic.twitter.com/FUfKJWKYJN, #TeamPOGradio is back (@malprin) November 21, 2022. What I think is happening is that we are passing through a period of turbulence. Of course, theyd smell it down the corridor and the manager would be up saying, Are you cooking in the room?. Bruces departure marks the culmination of both his 31-year career with Radio 2 and a painful week for everyone involved. Meanwhile, Rob expressed his excitement at landing his new Radio 2 role, saying earlier this month: As someone that has inhuman levels of energy, Im incredibly grateful and excited that the BBC are letting me loose on the airwaves to try and pump up anyone feeling the end-of-weekend blues. 'I'm a little surprised and disappointed.'. They added that the age range "hasn't changed in decades" and that Ken Bruce had been with them since the age of 32. The star bid farewell to Radio 2 listeners forever on Friday 26 August and went on to land a job on Talk TV. Following his departure from Radio 2, the much-loved presenter has revealed that he is not only working on a second series of the NTA nominated series For the Love of Dogs but also the release of a second childrens book. However, the For the Love of Dogs presenter has since been snapped up by Boom Radio UK for a one-off Christmas Day special. Advertisement. He is certainly not wrong there. Theyre trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesnt make sense because youve got Radio 1. While one very upset fan responded, typing: So very sad about this management decision Paul. Vanessa Feltz, 61, and Craig Charles, 58, have also moved on. O'Grady and Beckett had been swapping over every 13 weeks in the slot, after a shake-up to the station's schedule. Radio 2 Paul O'Grady replacement named as fans vow to switch off They always show the dog playing with the kids, catching a ball and sitting on the sofa and the new owner saying they wouldnt be without them. BBC Radio 2: Which presenters have quit the channel? Do you have a story to sell? BBC Radio 2 listeners are up in arms after hearing fan favourite Paul OGrady is being taken off air after 23 years to be replaced by younger comedian Rob Beckett. The presenter will be absent from BBC Radio 2 for 13 weeks. You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know. Theyve already asked me! His final show was in August 2022, which devastated regular listeners who had come to enjoy his broadcasts. BBC Radio 2 - Paul O'Grady - Available now 'They became frustrated by the rival station launching a marketing campaign for his show. The veteran TV presenter went on to admit he "wasn't really happy" with controversial changes at the BBC station - including sharing his show on a '13 weeks on, 13 weeks off' basis with comedian Rob Beckett. "Anyway, thanks very much and good luck to everyone on Radio 2 and long may you continue!". We're delighted that we are back! Read about our approach to external linking. 03:00. InJanuary, when Bruce announced his departure, former Radio 2 DJ Vanessa feltz accused the BBC of ageism. Paul O'Grady has revealed that his BBC Radio 2 weekend show will not air again until May due to a "management decision". Paul O'Grady is set to play Miss Hannigan in Annie (Picture: Rex/Metro) TV host Paul O'Grady, 67, . Comedy legend Paul O'Grady has been a regular Radio 2 host on Sunday afternoons since 2009 – but has been removed from airwaves by BBC bosses and fans are not happy about his replacement How old is Paul O'Grady and is he married? - The Sun | The Sun His last show . The TV and radio host lamented that he was . It emerged today that Bruce is leaving his BBC Radio 2 role a month early because the corporation reportedly became frustrated that his shows were 'free advertising' for his next station. Paul O'Grady has landed a role in an upcoming UK tour of the much-loved musical Annie - and the show is stopping off in Edinburgh. Thank you @BoomRadioUK, before asking: Will there be a regular spot for #teampog in the future?, The radio station saw the tweet and replied back: Well mention it to Father Christmas when we see him.. But in February he was forced to give up half of his shows and share the time slot with 36-year-old comedian Rob Beckett with the men swapping presenting duties every three months. Paul O'Grady has finished his 14-year stint on Radio 2 and confirmed reports it was because he was unhappy about sharing his Sunday afternoon slot. O'Grady, who left Radio 2 in 2021 after being asked to share his slot with comedian Rob Beckett, criticised the approach taken by bosses. The 67-year-old has hosted the Sunday . Paul O'Grady has addressed his BBC Radio 2 exit after 14 years. Celeb obsessed? 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