Daily Mail: BBC presenter quits show after 43 years

Story from Daily Mail:

BBC Radio presenter Garry Richardson has quit Radio 4's Today programme after 43-years with his final show on September 9 - exactly 50-years to the day since he joined the corporation.

The news reporter, 68, who's voice is known to millions as he reads headlines from across the world of sport, shared an emotional statement after his exit was confirmed.

Saying: 'I have had the most wonderful time working for the BBC alongside my heroes from sport and showbusiness'.

'I'll still be broadcasting from time to time, the only difference will be I won't be setting my alarm for 2.45am and that's a lovely thought.'

Garry joined the BBC in 1974 as a researcher before moving into Radio and then joining the Today programme in 1981.

He previously hosted BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek for 20-years until it's final episode in 2019.

Owenna Griffiths, Editor of Today, said: 'Garry quickly became a familiar part of my morning when I first started listening to Today at university'.

'It's been a privilege to work with him over the years and, along with many, many other Today listeners, I will miss him enormously.'

While BBC's director-general Tim Davie gushed over "legendary presenter" Garry and said in a statement: "So many of us have woken up to him bringing the latest sporting news for over four decades. He has brought wisdom, insight and a smile to every broadcast'.

Before adding: 'On behalf of all of us, I'd like to thank Garry for everything he has done, fifty years at the BBC is an incredible milestone'.

It comes after Radio 2 fans slammed the BBC for giving Paddy McGuinness a new regular Sunday show as they hit out at the broadcaster's 'obsession' with filling radio slots with celebrities.

Paddy, 50, will front a brand new Sunday show on Radio 2, taking over from Michael Ball's original 11am-1pm Sunday slot.

Michael meanwhile is now confirmed to present Love Songs With Michael Ball from 9am-11am from June, taking over Steve Wright's Love Songs following the veteran DJ's sudden death earlier this year.

Following the announcement, Radio 2 fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam the decision, asking the BBC to instead consider hiring talented local DJs.

They wrote: 'Seriously BBC Radio 2 can you not find fresh talent from local radio instead of awful "celebrities". No wonder folk are turning off.'

'Agree what happened to picking up and giving a chance to talented local DJs instead of gifting celebrities radio shows? They seem obsessed in doing this.'

'SERIOUSLY is there no one else???? I'd be utterly disheartened to try and start a career in radio when you see decisions like this.'

'Why are you giving airtime to celebrities - poor ones at that instead of encouraging new talent! Glad Michael Ball, Bob Harris & Tony Blackburn are still on!'

Paddy's new show comes after it was revealed that fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan will take over Claudia Winkleman's Saturday show on Radio 2 from next week.