\n Sloan, whose broadcasting career stretches back more than 40 years, has also questioned a shift which will see Radio Scotland play \u201cmore mainstream, easy listening tracks.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
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\n He has highlighted how he has wanted to give listeners the chance to enjoy \u201calternative tracks they wouldn\u2019t normally expect on the wireless instead of hit songs \u201cyou keep hearing over and over again”. \u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n He is one of four presenters, along with Roddy Hart, Iain Anderson and Natasha Raskin Sharp, whose shows are being wound up within weeks.\n<\/p>\n
\n Billy Sloan’s Saturday night show on Radio Scotland is being wound up at the end of this year. (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n The BBC\u2019s decision to the plug on the four presenters has sparked anger from musicians including Iona Fyfe, Emma Pollock, Dean Owens, Findlay Napier, James Grant, Kim Edgar, Carol Laula and Kris Drever.\n<\/p>\n
\n Separate petitions have been launched to try to secure a reprieve for Sloan and Anderson.\n<\/p>\n
\n The changes have been announced six months after the appointment of Victoria Easton-Riley, the new head of Radio Scotland, who was hired from commercial radio operator Bauer.\n<\/p>\n
\n BBC Scotland is based at Pacific Quay in Glasgow.\n<\/p>\n
\n Commercial radio DJ Lynne Hoggan is being brought in by to present a new show, Up Late, between Monday and Thursday, from 10pm till midnight, while Ashley Storrie will be keeping her late-night slot on Fridays for her own edition of Up Late.\n<\/p>\n
\n The BBC has not yet announced how it will be replacing Sloan’s Saturday night show or the Sunday night programme hosted by Iain Anderson.\n<\/p>\n
\n Posting on social media, Sloan said: \u201cI will present my final show for BBC Radio Scotland next month.\n<\/p>\n
\n “As you may have read in the papers, a new boss has taken over at the station and she\u2019s making changes. I don\u2019t figure in her future plans.\n<\/p>\n
\n “On Saturday December 27 I\u2019ll reluctantly bring the curtain down on a very enjoyable 11-year period hosting the programme.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I DON\u2019T play the hits…the songs you keep hearing over and over again. \u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n “Instead I prefer to give listeners the opportunity to enjoy alternative tracks they wouldn\u2019t normally expect on the wireless.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI can honestly say \u2013 hand on heart \u2013 that I\u2019ve never played a single record I didn\u2019t think was great.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBut it appears that in the new format that is being introduced \u2013 reported in the press to be more of an \u201ceasy listening\/broad mainstream appeal\u201d – that is no longer what is required.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cMusically, I plan to go out with a bang with some special shows.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cOver the next few weeks, I\u2019ll look back at the best of the interviews during that 11-year period, revisiting my conversations with stars such as Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, U2, Alice Cooper and Pete Townshend of The Who to name but a few.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI\u2019ll also reveal my favourite singles, albums and gigs of 2025 with songs from Oasis, Simple Minds, Public Image Limited, Richard Ashcroft and Fontaines DC.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBefore bowing out with some of my all-time favourite compositions from artistes including David Bowie, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Orange Juice, Scott Walker and The Clash, with a few musical curve balls thrown in for good measure.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI send my heartfelt thanks to all the musicians I\u2019ve had the pleasure to work with, and to my legions of loyal listeners who tune in every week – from all around the globe – responding enthusiastically to our topic. \u00a0Your continued support is greatly appreciated.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n When plans for the new Up Late show were announced last week, Ms Easton Riley said it would \u201cprovide the perfect soundtrack during the quieter hours and offer listeners a sense of warmth, connection and community throughout the week\u201d.\n<\/p>\n