Radio 2's long standing Sunday night presenter Malcolm Laycock is leaving the station after 14 years.
Malcolm announced on air that he would not be returning after his contract was not renewed by BBC bosses. The Telegraph reports he was due to be taking four weeks off, but his decision to leave permanently took the station by surprise.
He told the newspaper he had had a series of "long-running disputes" with Radio 2 and was left with "no choice" but to leave after failing to agree a contract.
Some listeners have been writing to Radio 2 controller Bob Shennan and their local MPs trying to bring him back. Yesterday, the presenter said the change of music emphasis was just one reason for his departure.
"I was indeed ordered to drop the British dance bands," he wrote on an online fan forum. "That was just one part of the long-running disputes I have had with Radio 2.
"I did not want to leave, but unfortunately Radio 2 was not able to offer me a satisfactory new contract, which left me with no alternative but to withdraw."
After his resignation, Mr Shennan said: "We are sad that Malcolm has chosen to leave Radio 2 after 14 years of outstanding service as a well respected and much loved presenter and producer. We wish him all the very best of luck in the future."
Clare Teal would be sitting in for Laycock for the next two months.
