Legendary Radio 2 host Bob Harris has quit his shows due to ill health amid his prostate cancer battle following a 56-year broadcasting career.
He will step down from hosting his Radio 2 shows, Radio 2 Country (Thursdays, 9-10pm) and Sounds of the 70s (Sundays, 3-5pm).
Bob, 80, said: ‘Itâs 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.
‘I am a massive BBC loyalist, and Iâm grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way.
‘Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station.
‘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.’
Legendary Radio 2 host Bob Harris has quit his shows after a 56-year broadcasting career amid his prostate cancer battle
He continued: ‘But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show Iâve ever done, and itâs all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.
‘I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate on getting myself well again.
‘This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I am unable to give you 100%.
‘I am going to miss you, and I love you very much. Thank you for listening.’
In April, Bob gave a heartbreaking update on his cancer battle. Â
He took to Instagram to share a picture and post in which he revealed he has been in ‘excruciating pain’ after his cancer spread to his back.Â
The Radio 2 presenter gave the update to his 92.8k followers, as he explained that as soon as they had found the spread he started a course of radiotherapy and spent two weeks in hospital however he is now at home.
The legendary radio DJ, known as ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 and still lives with the disease.
In the message at the time, he thanked the team at Radio 2, his colleague Zoe Ball and his radio replacements Darius Rucker and Shaun Keaveny.
Taking to Instagram, he shared a lengthy caption reading: ‘***HEALTH UPDATE*** Iâm sorry itâs been so long since I last posted but the past few weeks have proved to be an extremely testing time…
‘When I posted last time from hospital, we were trying to find the reason for the excruciating pain I was feeling in my back. Several scans later, we discovered that my prostate cancer has got into my upper spineâŠreally frightening news…
‘So, I immediately began a course of radiotherapy – two weeks in hospital in total – to bring things back under control. Thankfully Iâm back at home now, on the pathway to recovery and feeling stronger every day…
‘I have started a programme of rehab and today I got out into this glorious weather for the first time with my son [Miles Myerscough-Harris] who took the photograph…
The legendary radio DJ, known as ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 and still lives with the disease
The 80-year-old radio star took to Instagram in April to share a picture and post in which he revealed he has been in ‘excruciating pain’ after his cancer spread to his back
Bob has been broadcasting with the BBC for more than 50 years and received an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2011
‘My family has been here for me in a massive way, helping me through one of the most difficult times of my life. I canât even begin to think of a way to say thank you. I love them so much.
‘Helen Thomas and the BBC Radio 2 family have also been supportive beyond words and I know for certain that Iâll be returning to my programmes as soon as I am able.
‘Iâve set a personal target of mid-May for Country and the end of May for Sounds of the 70âs. I know that my friends @dariusrucker and @shaunkeaveny_ have been doing a fabulous job⊠but I absolutely cannot wait to be back…
‘Thank you for all the messages youâve sent via the conversations Zoe Ball and I recorded for my 80th birthday programme. I had no idea then that I was about to relive the very experiences we talked about!…
‘Just want to send so much love to Zoe and to everyone who have been in touch.See you soon folks! xxx’.
Two years ago Bob opened up about his cancer treatment to fans as he said he counts ‘every day as a blessing’.
He penned: ‘I occasionally have to go through moments of intensive top-up treatments, and I have to take some pretty hefty daily medication to keep my cancer under control, the difficult side-effects of which can often bring my emotions far too close to the surface!
‘But my cancer was detected early and I count every day as a blessing.’
He added: ‘My massive advice to any male over 50 reading this is GET YOURSELF CHECKED if you haven’t already. The blood test only takes seconds and it could save your life!’
Bob has been broadcasting with the BBC for more than 50 years and received an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2011.
In 2019 Bob was forced to take a break from his shows after rupturing his aorta while out walking.
He said: ‘Ten days ago, while out walking, I suffered a tear to my aorta known as an aortic dissection. The aorta is basically the M1 of the body and any damage is regarded as extremely serious.
‘For the past few years I have been walking an average of five miles a day and I am convinced that the level of fitness I have achieved during that time helped save my life.’
He said at the time: ‘It was an incredibly scary moment and I am massively indebted to the ambulance crew who attended so promptly, the intensive care team and the consultants at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, and to my wife Trudie and my wonderful family who have rallied round me with huge love and support.
‘I am not exactly sure when I will be on air again but I am on the road to recovery now and will be back playing music for you on Radio 2 as soon as possible. Thank you for everything.’
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said on Thursday: ‘I would like to say a sincere thank you to Bob, a true radio legend, for many years of very special shows on Radio 2.
‘Bob has hosted The Radio 2 Country Show since 1999, becoming a trusted and respected tastemaker as the genre exploded in popularity.
‘Since taking the reins of Sounds of the 70s, he has filled the show with love, laughter and captivating stories of being at the heart of the music scene throughout the decade.
‘Bob is adored by the Radio 2 family and his listeners, and we are all going to miss him and his weekly shows very much. Everyone at Radio 2 sends Bob and his family our love and support.’
Bob celebrated his 80th birthday in April, with Radio 2 marking the occasion through a special programme, Bob Harris at 80: A Life in Music, which is currently available to listen back to on BBC Sounds.
Joined by Zoe Ball, Bob reflected on the key musical milestones, memorable encounters and defining moments from his extraordinary life and career.
Bob presented his last episode of Sounds of the 70s on March 8, and his last Radio 2 Country Show on April 2.
Shaun Keaveny will officially take over as host of Sounds of the 70s each Sunday (3-5pm), in addition to hosting the Radio 2 Rock Show (Fridays 11pm-midnight) after deputising in the Sounds of the 70s slot and various other shows on Radio 2 during the past year.
Shaun said: ‘As long as I can remember, Iâve loved the music of the 70s. My mum reckons Rocket Man was all over the radio when I was born in 72âŠguess who was playing that on the original Sounds of the 70s at that timeâŠ??
‘It was the thrill of my life to meet Bob, the man who has done more to maintain the spirit of Rock, Roll and Radio than almost anyone.
‘I consider it not just an honour but a mission, to continue Bobâs work of showing the world the greatness of the music of that special decade. Somewhere, every week, some kid hears Wonât Get Fooled Again for the first time! You did that for me Bob, and millions like me. Weâd like to say Thank You For the Music, youâll always be our Rock n Roll Doctor.
Darius Rucker will continue to host The Radio 2 Country Show (Thursdays 9-10pm) in the interim.
Additionally, itâs all change on Saturday nights, with a focus on Radio 2âs much-loved decade shows and presenters.
Sounds of the 80s, presented by Gary Davies, will be brought forward by two hours and will now broadcast from 6â8pm. The programme is produced by Listen.
Sounds of the 90s, presented by Fearne Cotton, will move to 8-10pm each Saturday night. The show will continue to be produced by TBI Media.
At 10pm, Vernon Kay, host of the UKâs most listened to radio show (weekdays, 9.30am â noon) with 6.6m listeners each week (RAJAR Q1 2026), will present Dance Sounds of the 90s. The programme is produced by We Are Grape.
Listeners will enjoy a double helping of Dermot OâLeary, who will continue to present his popular Saturday Breakfast Show (8-10am) as well as Alternative Sounds of the 90s (11pmâmidnight). Both shows are produced by Ora Et Labora.
Soucre: https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-15873323/Legendary-Radio-2-host-Bob-Harris-quits-shows-56-year-broadcasting-career-amid-prostate-cancer-battle.html
