The BBC star has confirmed she is leaving her radio show (Image: Getty)
A hugely popular BBC Radio 2 voice’s sudden absence sparked alarm among listeners — leaving fans reeling. After weeks of presenters filling in and mounting speculation, the broadcaster finally broke their silence in a cryptic message sparking fears they will not be returning to their regular slot. Liza Tarbuck, who hosts her Saturday evening show has stepped down from her weekend slot. It comes as presenter Shaun Keavney has filled in during her absence in recent weeks, fuelling fears her departure was imminent.
The radio presenter has decided she would like her weekends back and is stepping down from her Saturday evening show (6-8pm) on Radio 2, which she has hosted since 2012. Posting on Instagram, Liza said: “We made 2 hrs of radio feel like a private members club, that’s the stuff of dreams. Thousands of people enjoyed each other’s company like great friends… Thank you for letting me in, it’s been a privilege.”
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said: “Every Saturday evening, Liza created a truly magical, fantastical world. She was beloved by everyone at the station and all her listeners, and the door at Radio 2 will always be open for her. Liza will be hugely missed and we wish her the very best of luck for the future. “
A BBC spokesperson confirmed to Express.co.uk: “Shaun Keaveny will present the slot until the end of March. We will announce further plans in due course.”
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Liza Tarbuck shared a cryptic message on social media (Image: Getty)
Fans quickly flooded social media with messages of shock, many saying they were “genuinely gutted” to lose one of the station’s most recognisable and much-loved voices. In her emotional message on social media, Liza said she had quietly “sneaked out”,reflecting on the bond she built with listeners over the years. In the cryptic post, the radio broadcaster said she was proud that together they had turned the programme into something that felt more like a private members’ club than traditional radio.
She went on to describe those shared evenings as a “dream”, before closing by thanking fans for welcoming her into their lives and called the experience a “privilege”.
Devastated listeners flooded her comments within minutes. One wrote: “I can’t make this out entirely!! Please don’t let it be what I think it is!! You’re our Saturday evening saviour!”
Another added: “Your show was a unique breath of fresh air. Saturdays evenings will never be the same without you Liza and the murm will be lost.
“Thank you for the time and effort you put into making each show a joy, the ONLY consolation is that we have our Liza T playlist to listen to,” while a third admitted: “She ticks all my boxes. I will be genuinely gutted if Liza is leaving.”
Others said the show had become part of their weekly routine and emotional support. One fan pleaded: “I really hope this isn’t a goodbye forever Liza.
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“Your Saturday shows have got me through some tough times. The amazing playlist you put together each week, the laughter, the funny stories and the togetherness of everyone who listened in.
“Sending you lots of love, I hope all is well in your world and hope to hear you on the airwaves keeping the murm in laughter.”
Another listener added: “Nooooo! This is terrible news!! Your show is so part of my routine while cooking dinner or if not, listened to again (and again) during the week while at work. A tragedy. Your joyous chitchat and eclectic mix of beautiful music will be missed.”
The long-running programme had been billed as Liza “entertaining the nation with listener tales of the extraordinary and the everyday blended with an eclectic, hand picked soundtrack for the perfect Saturday evening”.