BBC Radio 4 presenter Garry Richardson has revealed he is stepping down in the autumn after five decades in broadcasting.
The veteran will hang up his microphone on September 9 – exactly 50 years to the day since he joined the Beeb as a budding junior researcher. After moving into local radio, Garry joined the Today programme in 1981.
He was also the host of Sunday morning’s Sportsweek programme on BBC Radio 5 Live for two decades, until it aired for the final time in 2019. Announcing his decision, Garry said on Friday (April 5): “I have had the most wonderful time working for the BBC alongside my heroes from sport and showbusiness.”
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He continued: “I’ll still be broadcasting from time to time, the only difference will be I won’t be setting my alarm for 2.45am and that’s a lovely thought.”
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie was quick to pay tribute to the man he described as a “legendary presenter” in the business. “So many of us have woken up to him bringing the latest sporting news for over four decades,” he gushed.
“He has brought wisdom, insight and a smile to every broadcast. On behalf of all of us, I’d like to thank Garry for everything he has done, fifty years at the BBC is an incredible milestone.”
(Image: BBC)
Today editor, Owenna Griffiths, added: “Garry quickly became a familiar part of my morning when I first started listening to Today at university. It’s been a privilege to work with him over the years and, along with many, many other Today listeners, I will miss him enormously.”
Since the announcement, Garry’s listeners have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to reflect on the end of an era. One penned in tribute: “Garry Richardson has combined humour and humility on the radio my whole life. I can’t believe he’s going. What an institution.” A second wrote: “Garry Richardson will step down from sports news @BBCr4today in September 50 years after joining BBC! Amazing warm and intelligent broadcaster and far more than sport, hope we hear more from his other dimensions in future.”
(Image: BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)
A third added: “I suppose Garry couldn’t go on forever but it’s a huge blow to the programme. I’ll miss his jokes and looking-back features.” And a fourth said: “Amazing warm and intelligent broadcaster and far more than sport, hope we hear more from his other dimensions in future.”
News of Garry’s exit follows confirmation that Jonathan Agnew will stand down as the BBC’s chief cricket correspondent at the end of the summer.
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