Reverend Richard Coles, 60, says he is 'sad and frustrated' over BBC Radio 4 ... trends now

Reverend Richard Coles, 60, says he is 'sad and frustrated' over BBC Radio 4 ... trends now
Reverend Richard Coles, 60, says he is 'sad and frustrated' over BBC Radio 4 ... trends now

Reverend Richard Coles, 60, says he is 'sad and frustrated' over BBC Radio 4 ... trends now

Reverend Richard Coles has been left feeling 'frustrated and sad' over the way his BBC Radio 4 exit has been handled after 12 years on air.

The clergyman, 60, is departing Saturday Live - which he co-hosts with broadcaster Nikki Bedi - after the show was relocated from London to Cardiff.

Richard's final show will be on Saturday and he has now addressed his exit for the first time, admitting it feels 'a little bit rushed'.

He told The Guardian newspaper: 'If you leave a programme after 12 years, a gentler process would have been nice. But what happens happens.

'It just feels a little bit rushed. It's been frustrating for me having to wait for an announcement, and now it's my last programme on Saturday. I'd rather have had a longer goodbye to listeners.

Sad goodbye: Reverend Richard Coles has been left feeling 'frustrated and sad' over the way his BBC Radio 4 exit has been handled after 12 years on air

Sad goodbye: Reverend Richard Coles has been left feeling 'frustrated and sad' over the way his BBC Radio 4 exit has been handled after 12 years on air

'It just feels a bit sad. I'm sorry to go; I've loved the programme, I've loved the people I've worked with, and it's been a big part of my life. I shall miss it.'

Richard said that it is a 'shame' the programme is unable to remain in London as he admitted he believes that the show is 'doing really well' there.

The decision to relocate the show comes as part of the BBC's wider plan to move some key jobs and programmes out of London - to make the corporation more reflective of the UK as a whole.

A BBC spokesperson told the publication: 'Richard has been brilliant on Saturday mornings and very much continues to be part of the Radio 4 family.

'We look forward to working with him on future projects.'

Richard's exit comes amid a mounting 'ageism' row at the BBC following a major shake-up at sister station Radio 2.

It was revealed earlier this week that Paul O'Grady has joined a rival radio station eight months after quitting BBC Radio 2.

Moving on: The clergyman, 60, is departing Saturday Live - which he co-hosts with broadcaster Nikki Bedi - after the show was relocated from London to Cardiff

Moving on: The clergyman, 60, is departing Saturday Live - which he co-hosts with broadcaster Nikki Bedi - after the show was relocated from London to Cardiff

The presenter, 67, hosted a Sunday show for 14 years on the BBC station before he quit the station amid a mass exodus of popular talent at the corporation.

He will now be reprising his show on Boom Radio and will host his first Sunday show on Easter Sunday alongside regular sidekick, long suffering producer Malcolm Prince.

Paul's move comes just two weeks after fellow broadcasting veteran Ken Bruce hosted his final Radio 2 show before starting a new position at Greatest Hits Radio, another commercial station, next month.

He said: 'It's great to be working with the team at Boom again. It already feels like my new radio home. My producer Malcolm and I are looking forward to our special TeamPOG show on Easter Sunday - who knows, this could be the start of a regular gig.'

New role: Paul O'Grady has joined rival radio station Boom eight months after quitting Radio 2 following an ageism row

New role: Paul O'Grady has joined rival radio station Boom eight months after quitting Radio 2 following an ageism row

The Liverpool-born star enjoyed more than a decade at Radio 2 hosting the Sunday afternoon show.

But the host was unhappy about being asked to share duties with Rob Beckett, 37, which saw the comedian taking over for two three-month stints each year.

Speaking last month, Paul confirmed the schedule's shake-up was the reason behind his departure.

He told Metro: 'I was disappointed because I'm a great believer in continuity.

'If you go off for 13 weeks and somebody else comes on,

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