Bob Harris steps down from BBC Radio 2 shows because of ill health

The veteran broadcaster Bob Harris has announced he is stepping down from BBC Radio 2 after 30 years so he can focus on “getting well again”, six weeks after revealing his prostate cancer had spread into his upper spine.

The 80-year-old host of The Country Show and Sounds of the 70s, known as “Whispering” Bob Harris, said his health problems were forcing him to step down and that it had been “one of the hardest decisions of my entire life”.

In April, he took a break from presenting and spent two weeks in hospital after undergoing a course of radiotherapy; he had sought medical advice after experiencing “excruciating pain” in his back. He was first treated for prostate cancer in 2007.

In an emotional message to fans, shared on BBC Radio 2’s Instagram account on Thursday morning, he said: “I put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. I feel so blessed to have had your support across so many years. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.”

He apologised for being unable to carry on. “I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate now on getting myself well again. This has been one of the hardest decisions of my entire life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I’m unable to give you 100%. I’m really going to miss you. I love you very, very much. Thank you for listening.”

Harris, who described himself as “a massive BBC loyalist”, has also had roles on Radio 1, 6 Music and BBC television, including his celebrated tenure on the award-winning music show The Old Grey Whistle Test during the 1970s.

A passionate advocate for country, folk, Americana and singer-songwriters, he said he was “very, very grateful” for the freedom that the BBC had given him to build his programmes in his own way.

His broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years and he said he had “loved every moment” he had spent behind the microphone. “It’s where I belong …. I’m very, very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much,” he said.

Helen Thomas, the head of Radio 2, hailed Harris as “a true radio legend” as she offered him “a sincere thank you”.

She said: “Bob has hosted the Radio 2 Country Show since 1999, becoming a trusted and respected tastemaker as the genre exploded in popularity.