Late Show presenters on BBC local radio stations in England have said goodbye to listeners ahead of a networked show starting on Monday.
Late Night Becky, with Becky Want, will air across the local network each weekday replacing regional output as previously revealed by RadioToday. Weekends will be hosted by Jo Good.
In the north west, a surprise moment took place during John Gillmore’s final programme on BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Cumbria on Thursday evening.
BBC Radio 2’s OJ Borg appeared on Gillmore’s show, with the pair revealing that Borg started out as a travel reporter during his programmes.
Chatting to Gilly, OJ said: “I did your travel news a million years and you were lovely then and still are and I wanted to be part of this final show.”
After hearing tributes from listeners and former guests, Gilly ended his show with the phrase: “Gilly has left the building”.
On Merseyside, Linda McDermott was joined by Radio City’s former late night host Pete Price. Together they looked back at all the years they have hosted late night radio in the region. Pete said: “It’s going to be the biggest loss to thousands that this mega talented Lady’s contract is not being renewed.”
In Manchester, Allan Beswick hosts his final late phone in on BBC Radio Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside on Saturday night. Allan has been hosting shows on local radio in the region since Red Rose Radio in the 1980s.
In Yorkshire, Russell Walker hosted his final show on Radio Sheffield, Lincolnshire, York, Humberside and Leeds.
On the South Coast, staff from BBC Radio Solent and neighbouring stations gathered to wish Paul Miller well after 35 years on the radio – 23 of those on the late show.
Paul said: “Wow, what a week. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you have shown me, I am overwhelmed and speechless, and that doesn’t happen very often!
“I had 35 magnificent years at the BBC and made the best friends ever. I need a very large beverage now.”
In the north east, Steffen Peddie has hosted his last show and says he’s done with local radio for now. The comic said on Thursday: “Last live show done and just recording Fridays Big Quiz and that’s me finished for the time being with BBC Local Radio.
“It’s been great fun, and managed to sign off with this, one of the songs I love the most.”
And in the West / South West, Mike Vitti, who has been hosting Lates on Radio Bristol, Radio Cornwall, Radio Devon, Radio Gloucestershire, BBC Somerset and BBC Wiltshire plus Guernsey and Jersey, also said an emotional goodbye to his listeners.
After the final show, Mike said: “A tough night last night saying goodbye to 60,000 listeners. I really want to thank the local management team at Glos for giving that responsibility to this freelancer, thank you!”
Lots of friends gathered for @Gillylancs #FinalLateShow thanks for years of broadcasting on @BBCLancashire @BBC_Cumbria. Good luck for the future Gilly!! pic.twitter.com/WribewKqvh
— BBC Lancashire (@BBCLancashire) October 5, 2023
Thank you to Trucker Jay on the M6 for a lovely leaving present from @BBC_Cumbria and @BBCLancashire In the words of @peterdixon from @TheXFactor only Two Remain join me from 10 pm this evening pic.twitter.com/aEcZyn670J
— John Gillmore (@Gillylancs) October 4, 2023
Tonight I do my last hour ever with @LindaMcDermott_ Radio Merseyside. We are going to look back over all the years we have both done late night radio. It’s going to be the biggest lose to thousands that this mega talented Lady’s contract is not being renewed. tonight 11 o’clock pic.twitter.com/aEeeyo3tlM
— Pete Price (@PeteCityPrice) October 3, 2023
The @BBCSouthNews & @BBCRadioSolent crew celebrate the one and only @PaulMillerRadio who is about to do his last ever show after 35 years at the Beeb! A genuine bit of British radio history- I'll be glued! 😭https://t.co/6O3coFfV9J pic.twitter.com/dYelUt7wRc
— Pat Sissons (@pjsissons) October 5, 2023
Wow, what a week. I cannot thank you enough for the kindness you have shown me, I am overwhelmed and speechless, and that doesn't happen very often!
I had 35 magnificent years at the BBC and made the best friends ever. I need a very large beverage now 😜— Paul Miller (@PaulMillerRadio) October 6, 2023
Can’t hide my sadness today, let’s go for one last spin with Paul Carrack & Chris Baxter at 10
Just recorded this little vid 😥😢@PCarrack @cbaxteradio @BBCRB @BBCCornwall @BBCDevon @BBCGlos @BBCGuernsey @BBCJersey @bbcsomerset @BBCWiltshire @bbcsounds pic.twitter.com/HhSA7NHBHK
— Mike Vitti (@michaelvitti) October 6, 2023
Have we missed the ending of a show? Let us know – news@radiotoday.co.uk