BBC Radio 2 favourite Liza Tarbuck breaks hearts as she quits beloved show after 14 years

Liza Tarbuck has stepped down from her long-running BBC Radio 2 show after more than a decade, telling fans it has been a “privilege” but revealing she wants her weekends back.

Liza Tarbuck has announced she is leaving her BBC Radio 2 programme after 14 years on air, bringing an end to one of the station’s most familiar weekend shows.

The comedian and broadcaster, 61, confirmed on Wednesday that she will step down from her Saturday evening slot, which airs from 6pm to 8pm.

Sharing the news with listeners on Instagram, Tarbuck thanked fans for years of support and reflected on the community built around the show.

“We made two hours of radio feel like a private members’ club. That’s the stuff of dreams,” she wrote.

“Thousands of people enjoyed each other’s company like great friends. Thank you for letting me in, it’s been a privilege.”

BBC pays tribute as fans react to shock exit

BBC Radio 2 leadership also paid tribute to Tarbuck following the announcement.

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, praised the broadcaster for creating what she described as a “magical, fantastical world” every Saturday evening.

“She was beloved by everyone at the station and all her listeners,” Thomas said.

“Liza will be hugely missed and we wish her the very best of luck for the future.”

The announcement prompted an emotional reaction from fans online, with many saying the show had become a cherished weekend ritual.

One listener wrote: “If Liza really is leaving, BBC Sounds needs to keep all her shows available forever.”

Another added: “This should be discussed in Parliament. It’s a national disaster.”

What happens to the Radio 2 slot now

BBC Radio 2 confirmed that presenter Shaun Keaveny will host the slot temporarily until the end of March while the station decides on a permanent replacement.

Further plans for the weekend show will be announced in due course.

From comedy star to radio favourite

Tarbuck first rose to prominence in the late 1980s after landing a starring role in the Granada Television comedy series Watching.

She later appeared in shows including Extras and French & Saunders, while building a reputation as one of the UK’s most distinctive radio voices.

She is also the daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck.

After more than a decade at Radio 2, Tarbuck’s departure marks the end of a long-running era for the station’s Saturday evening line-up.