Paul O’Grady to leave BBC Radio 2 after 14 years

Paul O’Grady has taken the decision to step down from his Sunday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2, with his last show on Sunday 14 August.

Paul launched his weekly show in the Sunday timeslot in 2009, but from last February it was changed to two runs of 13 weeks across the year.

When the changes were announced, Paul explained: “There’s a new regime now, I do 13 weeks on and then 13 off which is nothing to do with me as it’s a management decision.”

Paul says: “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.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “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.”

From Sunday 21 August, Rob Beckett returns to Sunday afternoons for his next 13 week run of shows and future plans for the slot will be announced at a later date.