Broadcaster Bob Harris is to step down from BBC Radio 2 after 56 years on air, calling it “the hardest decision” he has ever made. The 76-year-old, who is being treated for cancer, announced he will leave his long-running Sunday night show later this year.
Harris, known for his deep knowledge of country and Americana music, first joined the BBC in the 1960s and became a staple of Radio 2’s weekend schedule. His show, which began in 1999, has been a platform for emerging and established artists from the US roots scene. The BBC said Harris’s final programme will air on 27 April 2025.
“Veteran broadcaster Bob Harris is leaving BBC Radio 2 after 56 years, citing his cancer treatment as the reason for 'the hardest decision' of his career. His final show airs in April 2025.”
In a statement, Harris said he had been “overwhelmed” by the support from listeners since revealing his cancer diagnosis in 2023. He added that stepping away was “incredibly difficult” but that he felt the time was right to focus on his health. BBC executives praised his “extraordinary contribution” to British radio and said his show had “defined” Sunday evenings for millions.
Harris’s departure marks the end of an era for Radio 2, which has seen several long-serving presenters leave in recent years, including Ken Bruce and Steve Wright. The network is actively reshaping its lineup to attract younger listeners while retaining its core audience. A replacement for Harris has not yet been announced.
His influence extends beyond radio: he has written books, presented television documentaries on music, and helped launch the careers of artists such as Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris in the UK. Fans and colleagues have described him as “a broadcasting legend” and “the godfather of country music in Britain.”
No other regional details are available from the source.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Bob is a much-loved member of the Radio 2 family. We respect his decision and thank him for decades of dedication.” Harris’s final show is expected to feature a special look back at his career.
What This Means For You - Listeners who tune in to Bob Harris’s Sunday night show will need to find a new programme from late April 2025. The BBC will announce a replacement in due course. - Fans of country and Americana music may see a shift in Radio 2’s weekend music policy, depending on who takes over the slot. - For those who have followed Harris’s career, the departure signals a generational change at the network, which is increasingly focusing on younger presenters and digital content.