Radio 2 star QUITS show three years after taking over from Paul O’Grady

ROB Beckett has quit his BBC Radio 2 show just three years after taking over the slot from Paul O’Grady.

The BBC announced that today Rob has decided to step down due to scheduling issues, with him putting down the headphones for good in April, shortly before Easter.

Over the course of his career, Beckett has become known for TV presenting, stand-up comedy and radio show.

He is most known for his Sky shows, including Rob and Romesh Vs… with Romesh Ranganthan, his appearances on Mock The Week, and his new quiz show, Rob Beckett’s Smart TV.

While Beckett will be leaving the afternoon 5pm to 7pm show, he will still make appearances for the radio channel as a cover presenter.

On the announcement, Beckett said: “I’ve had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners, but as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I’ve decided to step away from a weekly show.

“But you won’t get away from me that easily as I’ll be back presenting shows on Radio 2 later in the year when normal service is resumed!”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: “I’d like to thank Rob for his brilliant work every Sunday evening. He’ll stay within the Radio 2 family and will be heard on the station at a later date.”

His replacement is yet to be confirmed.

Beckett took over the show from O’Grady in 2022, with the beloved presenter saying at the time it was “time to go” after 14 years in the timeslot.

For a period before his permanent placement, Beckett shared the slot with O’Grady in a 50/50 split – with both having 13 weeks on air, before 13 weeks off.

O’Grady later admitted he didn’t enjoy sharing the slot with Beckett, and suggested that it had an influence of his exit choice.

He later wrote on Instagram: “I did the honourable thing, I honoured my contract, gave my notice in and now I’m off.”

He was later critical of Radio 2’s shake ups, telling Metro the radio station “wasn’t what it was” as it brought in younger presenter.

“They’re trying to aim for a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you’ve got Radio 1,” he in 2023.

He also noted: “I’m a great believer in continuity. If you go off for 13 weeks and somebody else comes on, the listeners don’t know when you’re back on.”

O’Grady died in March 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 67.