by
Simon Austin
Chris Evans has announced he is leaving Radio 2 at Christmas following 13 years with the station
The 52-year-old took over the Breakfast show from Sir Terry Wogan in 2010 and regularly attracts 9m listeners – more than any other breakfast show in the UK.”I’m leaving. I’m leaving Radio 2,” he told listeners at 8:10 this morning.
“Some of us are mountain climbers [but] if you get to the top of your favourite mountain and you stay there, you become an observer.
“I want to keep climbing. Whoever takes over this show, good for you because it’s the best. It’s the best.”
Evans, who was born and raised in Warrington, said he had “loved every second” of presenting the show and added “I don’t want this to be it”.
His final scheduled show will be on Friday 21 December, although Evans said he would like to bow out with a Christmas Eve special.
BBC director general Tony Hall said: “Chris has been an absolutely first class presenter of the Breakfast Show. He has brought both warmth and a genuine insight into what listeners want.
“He has given 100% to each of his BBC projects, including raising millions of pounds for Children in Need. I’d like to thank him for all his efforts over the years and wish him all the best for the future.”
