![\"bob](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/d1955bbb-3070-49e7-acaa-73f0e07810d0.jpg\" "\\"Bob")
<\/p>\nBBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris has confirmed he is stepping down from the station. It comes a few weeks after the DJ confirmed that his prostate cancer had spread to his spine.<\/p>\n
The star has enjoyed a stellar career for over five and a half decades, and shared that it had been “one of the hardest decisions of my entire life” to depart.<\/p>\n
“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,” he added in a message.<\/p>\n
Looking back on his “incredible” career, Harris said he has been “very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much”.<\/p>\n
“I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I\u2019m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way,” he shared, adding that it had been “such a joy” to work on Radio 2.<\/p>\n
“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners,” the DJ continued. “I have put everything I have into every show I\u2019ve ever done, and it\u2019s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.”<\/p>\n
Harris concluded: “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.”<\/p>\n
The broadcaster first broke out on The Old Grey Whistle Test in the ’70s, and has presented across stations including Radio 1 and Radio 6 Music, though has been well known in recent decades for his Radio 2 work, where he has presented The Radio 2 Country Show and Sounds of the 70s.<\/p>\n
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The Country Show will be presented by Darius Rucker for the time being on Thursdays, who has sat in for Harris recently, while Shaun Keaveny will take over from Harris as permanent host of Sounds of the 70s on Sundays after covering for him.<\/p>\n
“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,” said head of Radio 2 Helen Thomas. “Bob has hosted The Radio 2 Country Show since 1999, becoming a trusted and respected tastemaker as the genre exploded in popularity.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Harris was first treated for prostate cancer in 2007, and told fans a few months ago that it had spread, calling it “really frightening news”. He has since undergone a course of radiotherapy, telling followers on Instagram<\/a>: “Thankfully I\u2019m back at home now, on the pathway to recovery and feeling stronger every day.”<\/p>\n If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please <\/strong>click here<\/strong><\/a> for guidance from <\/strong>Macmillan Cancer Support<\/strong><\/a>, or <\/strong>click here<\/strong><\/a> to learn more from <\/strong>Stand Up to Cancer<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies<\/a>, TV<\/a> and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy<\/strong> as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME<\/a> and Screen International<\/a>. \u00a0Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings<\/a> to Love Is Blind<\/a>, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n![\"Headshot](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1780572808_642_0a81bfbe-1026-4736-8d8a-d20144e2ec87_1551709595.png\" "\\"Headshot")
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