Both BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio London have lost Vanessa Feltz. The 60-year-old actress announced to the listeners of the Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show this morning (July 28) that she would be leaving the station in August and would no longer be setting her alarm.
After almost 20 years, the mother of two is also saying goodbye to her BBC Radio London Breakfast Show. This morning, Vanessa released a statement in which she said: “I have enjoyed every second with my Radio 2 ‘Early Birds’ and will dearly miss my Lovely Listeners, Jolly Good Fellows, and treasured friends and colleagues at Radio 2.” But now that I’ve had almost 12 years of ecstasy, I must retire in order to make up for a decade’s worth of sleep I’ve missed!
“It’s been an honor and privilege to be the Breakfast voice of BBC Radio London for 20 years, and although I’m leaving the show, I’ll continue to expect hugs from my lovely listeners when I see them on the streets of London!
“I will enjoy a dollop of energy-boosting shut-eye to swing from zip-lines with my three effervescent grandchildren and frolic with my fiancé Ben, who irritatingly remains 10 years younger than me!”
Vanessa began presenting the Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show in January 2011, from 5 am-6.30 am, which was extended to 4 am from January 2021.
On Friday, July 29, the presenter will deliver her final episode of the Radio 2 Early Morning Breakfast Show. Following a two-week vacation, Vanessa will take over Jeremy Vine’s show for another two weeks before bidding a last farewell to Radio 2 listeners on Friday, August 26.
Vanessa had a mid-morning phone-in show on the station before taking over the popular early morning breakfast show, where she quickly became one of the most well-known radio personalities.
Helen Thomas, the head of Radio 2, comments on Vanessa’s impending departure: “For nearly 12 years, Vanessa has made her live weekday Early Breakfast Show her very own kingdom, and I’d like to thank her wholeheartedly for the thousands of middle-of-the-night start she’s made to entertain the Radio 2 listeners.
They, along with everyone else at Wogan House, would like to wish Lady V the very best in the future.”
Chris Burns, Local Audio Commissioning Controller, says: “Vanessa has effortlessly transitioned from her Radio 2 show to the Radio London breakfast show every weekday, rarely pausing for breath. She skillfully amused her “beautiful listener” while forcefully calling the leaders of the city and the nation to account.
