BBC Radio 2 celebrates 25 years of The Country Show with Bob Harris

Bob Harris began presenting BBC Radio 2’s Country Show 25 years ago this week and last night there was a special edition of show to celebrate the anniversary.

The show was full of surprises for Bob, who was also celebrating his 78th birthday. The Shires, who Bob had supported since day one, joined him live in the studio, bringing a special celebratory cake in the shape of a Stetson.

There were calls live on the show from Breland and Kimberly Schlapman, and fellow Radio 2 presenter Trevor Nelson popped in to congratulate Bob and wish him happy birthday before he started his own show at 10pm.

Plus, there messages of congratulations sent from country stars including Sam Palladio, Charles Esten, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Old Dominion, Kane Brown, Carly Pearce, Tyler Hubbard (of Florida Georgia Line), Chris Jansen, Chris Young, Riley Green, and Lady A and more.

Bob says: “It’s been a huge delight to see Country music grow so much in popularity in the UK across the last 25 years. Being able to sit in the heart of that, and the outpouring of love for the genre, has been truly wonderful to see.

“We love to share the very best artists with our listeners and I’m always so honoured when they take the time to come and perform for us on The Country Show. Thank you to all the listeners for joining us every week, and here’s to the next 25 years!”