Mary Anne Hobbs quits Xfm, tells Facebook

Xfm’s evening show presenter Mary Anne Hobbs has resigned from the station, making the announcement on Facebook after her Wednesday show.

She leaves the station today after a “best of” Music: Response show from 8pm till 11pm featuring some of her interviews during the course of the show’s 14 month run.

Mary Anne Hobbs previously worked at BBC Radio 1 on the Rock Show for 14 years. She left the BBC in 2010 by announcing the move on her MySpace page then spent a year mentoring students at University of Sheffield Union of Students before returning to radio via Xfm a year later.

Mary Anne Hobbs said: “I’m so proud of all we’ve achieved with Music: Response in 14 months at Xfm. The nominations for Best Specialist Show at the radio industry’s most prestigious Awards, the Sony’s and Arqivas, were mind-blowing. But the the most exciting element for me, has been the opportunity to champion next generation artists as gifted as Jake Bugg, Lianne La Havas, Alabama Shakes and Ben Howard, who’ve had Top 10 success with their debut records and are truly changing people’s lives. I’m planning to do some writing, and to head back out on the road to DJ live again, meanwhile, I wish Xfm every success as they move forward into their next chapter”

A spokesperson for Xfm told RadioToday.co.uk: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to have the broadcasting legend that is Mary Anne Hobbs as part of the Xfm team. She has been passionate in her pursuit of new music and relentless in her drive to not only discover but nurture and help develop new talent. Her unwavering commitment and dedication to her craft has quite rightly led her to continued success as a broadcaster spanning several decades and we wish her all the best for the future.”

Here’s the message posted to Facebook last night:

I’ve resigned from Xfm and I’m leaving on Thursday November 1st.

I’d like to say thank you with all my heart to everyone who has spent some time listening to the shows. Incidentally, we have just recorded our highest listening figures ever, which I’m thrilled about.

We’ve had an incredible year.

Music: Response was nominated twice, for Best Specialist Show, at the radio industry’s most prestigious Awards, the Sony’s and Arqivas.

But the most exciting element for me, has been the opportunity to champion artists as gifted as Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, Lianne La Havas, many of whom have had Top 10 success with their debut records and are changing people’s lives. I’d like to thank all of the artists who have contributed wonderful music, live sessions and interviews to Music: Response.

With the Saturday show, we made history by putting the electronic music that I love so much on a Primetime platform for the very first time ever on radio, something I’ve always wanted to prove could be done. Much love and maximum respect to Blawan, Happa, Thefft and all the genius next generation producers who lit-up the show.

I want to thank my assistant Sam Davies for all his hard work this year. He came to the show directly from Work Experience. I had so much belief in him and he’s become a superb asset to Xfm.

We bow out 8pm – 11pm November 1st with a ‘Best Of’ show featuring all-star interviews, sessions and music from some of our favourite artists of the year, and my special guest, supernaturally gifted George Ezra. I’d love it if you could join us.

Thank you…