Vanessa Feltz has become the latest to leave the BBC and will present her Radio 2 show for the last time on Friday.
The 60-year-old presenter, whose salary of more than £400,000 makes her the eighth highest paid person at the BBC, has left the early morning breakfast show after almost 20 years on air
Ms Feltz said she had to resign “to catch up on a much-needed decade’s worth of beauty sleep” and use her “closed eye to boost energy” to “have fun with her fiance Ben Ofoedu” who is irritatingly still 10 years younger than me.’
Breaking into her show this morning as she broke the news to her listeners, the star said she was “going to try not to cry”.
She said, “I have something to tell you, and I know you already know that I love you, oh, I knew I was going to cry, but I’ll try not to…”.
“It has been an honor to share the first few hours with you.”
The star follows DJ Steve Wright who left his Radio 2 live show earlier this month after more than 40 years with the station.
Vanessa Feltz has become the latest to leave the BBC and will present Radio 2 for the last time on Friday. Pictured: Breaking the news to his listeners on Thursday morning
The 60-year-old presenter (pictured), whose salary of more than £400,000 makes her the BBC’s eighth highest earner, has left the early morning breakfast show after almost 20 years in the air.
In a statement shared this morning, Ms Feltz said: “I have loved every moment of my Radio 2 ‘Early Birds’ and will miss my Lovely Listeners, Jolly Good Fellows and dear Radio 2 friends and colleagues with all my heart However, after nearly 12 blissful years, I now have to call it quits to catch up on a decade’s worth of much-needed beauty sleep!
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to be the voice of BBC Radio London’s breakfast for 20 years and, although I’m leaving the show, I’ll still be waiting for hugs from my lovely listeners when I see them on the streets of London!
“I enjoyed some energy-boosting shut-eye to swing from the ziplines with my three effervescent grandchildren and play with my fiancé Ben, who is still irritatingly 10 years my junior!”
Speaking on Radio 2’s breakfast show after Ms Feltz announced her departure, Zoe Ball described her fellow presenter as “always glamorous and possibly the smartest person I know”.
He added: “I’m not going to lie, we’re all crying on Radio 2. She’s always been outrageous and the hardest working girl.
Ms Feltz (left) said she had to resign “to catch up on a much-needed decade’s worth of beauty sleep” and use her “closed eye to boost energy” to “have fun – with her fiance Ben Ofoedu (right) who is ‘annoyingly still 10 years younger than me’
“Wherever he goes, whatever he does, he’s going to be golden at it and he’s going to be very lucky to have her. We’re going to hit him at some point.
Speaking about the stars’ departure, Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas said: “For almost 12 years, Vanessa has made her live weekday Early Breakfast Show her own kingdom, and I’d like thank him from the bottom of my heart for the thousands of media It starts with the night he has put in to entertain Radio 2 listeners.
“On behalf of them, as well as everyone at Wogan House, I would like to send Lady V our very best wishes for the future.”
Chris Burns, Controller Local Audio Commissioning, added: “Every weekday, Vanessa has gone straight from her Radio 2 show to Radio London’s breakfast show, barely pausing for breath. She has effortlessly entertained to his “precious listener” and has severely obliged the decision-makers of the city and the country.
Moving on: BBC Radio has announced a major change as Steve Wright revealed he is leaving his long-running afternoon slot on Radio 2 and will be replaced by Scott Mills.
“The brightest spark you could ever find – however soon and whatever happens in the news – to say Vanessa’s voice will be missed is an understatement. We wish her the best and thank her so much for her incredible service “.
The station began presenting Radio 2’s early breakfast show in January 2011, from 5am to 6.30am, which was extended to 4am from January 2021.
Ms Feltz will cover Jeremy Vine for two weeks as planned and bid farewell to Radio 2 listeners on Friday 26 August.
Radio 2 and BBC Radio London will announce their respective morning schedules at a later date.