Radio 2 announces new Saturday night schedule as Bob Harris leaves the station

Veteran broadcaster Bob Harris is stepping down from his presenting duties on BBC Radio 2 after deciding to leave his weekly programmes because of ill health.

Harris, one of the most respected figures in British broadcasting, will no longer host Radio 2 Country on Thursday evenings or Sounds of the 70s on Sunday afternoons, bringing to a close a remarkable radio career spanning more than five decades.

Announcing his departure, Harris said: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years. I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much. I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I’m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way.

“Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station. I am so proud that The Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling Country to become the fastest growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds of the 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life.

“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say. 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. This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but 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.”

BBC Radio 2 has confirmed that Shaun Keaveny will become the permanent host of Sounds of the 70s on Sundays from 3pm to 5pm. Keaveny has regularly covered the programme and other Radio 2 slots over the past year and will continue to present the station’s Radio 2 Rock Show on Friday nights.

Paying tribute to Harris, Keaveny said: “As long as I can remember, I’ve loved the music of the 70s. My mum reckons Rocket Man was all over the radio when I was born in 72…guess who was playing that on the original Sounds of the 70s at that time…??

It was the thrill of my life to meet Bob, the man who has done more to maintain the spirit of Rock, Roll and Radio than almost anyone. I consider it not just an honour but a mission, to continue Bob’s work of showing the world the greatness of the music of that special decade. Somewhere, every week, some kid hears Won’t Get Fooled Again for the first time! You did that for me Bob, and millions like me. We’d like to say Thank You For the Music, you’ll always be our Rock n Roll Doctor.”

Keaveny joined BBC Radio 6 Music in 2007 and spent a decade presenting the station’s Breakfast Show before departing in 2021. Alongside his Radio 2 commitments, he hosts the BBC travel podcast Your Place or Mine and the independent online programme Community Garden Radio, which recently received an ARIA Award nomination in the Best Music Entertainment category.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, welcomed Keaveny’s appointment, saying: “Shaun has been warmly embraced by the community of music lovers who relish Sounds of the 70s each week during his time deputising in the slot. I’m looking forward to him officially taking the reins and putting his unique take on such a classic decade.”

Meanwhile, The Radio 2 Country Show will continue with country music star Darius Rucker at the helm on Thursday evenings while longer-term plans for the programme are considered.

The broadcaster has also announced a significant reshuffle of its Saturday night schedule, with a renewed focus on its popular decade-themed programming.

From the changes, Gary Davies’ Sounds of the 80s will move to an earlier slot, airing from 6pm until 8pm. Fearne Cotton’s Sounds of the 90s will follow from 8pm to 10pm.

At 10pm, weekday mid-morning presenter Vernon Kay will front Dance Sounds of the 90s. Kay currently hosts Radio 2’s most-listened-to programme, attracting an audience of 6.6 million listeners each week according to RAJAR figures for the first quarter of 2026.

Dermot O’Leary will continue hosting his Saturday Breakfast programme and will also remain the presenter of Alternative Sounds of the 90s, which airs from 11pm until midnight.

The changes mark the end of an era for Radio 2 listeners, with Harris leaving behind a legacy that has shaped generations of music broadcasting and helped introduce audiences to country, rock and classic popular music across nearly six decades on air.