Bob Harris, the BBC Radio 2 icon lovingly known as “Whispering Bob”, is leaving the station after 30 years due to his prostate cancer spreading to his spine.
“I’m so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realised that I must concentrate now on getting myself well again,” the DJ told his listeners, calling it “one of the hardest decisions of my entire life”.
Harris has been on the airwaves for 56 years, and joined Radio 2 in 1996, presenting Country Show and, from 2024, Sounds of the 70s, replacing the late Johnnie Walker.
He announced the news in a letter shared to Radio 2’s social media accounts, reading: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years. I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much.”
Harris described himself as “a massive BBC loyalist” and praised the corporation for giving him “the freedom to build my programmes in my own way”.
“I am so proud that The Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling country to become the fastest growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds of the 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life,” he continued.
“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.”
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