LEGENDARY BBC Radio 2 host Bob Harris has stepped down from the various shows he hosts on the air as he continues to battle cancer.
The radio star revealed back in April that his cancer had spread, and he has now stepped down from his hosting duties.
Bob, 80, was initially diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 and managed the disease with treatment before recent setbacks.
As his ill-health forced him to step down from Radio 2 Country and Sounds of the 70s, Bob has spoken out.
Bob said today: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years.
“I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much.
“I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I’m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way.”
He went on: “Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station.
“I am so proud that The Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling Country to become the fastest growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds of the 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life.
“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say,” he continued.
“I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate on getting myself well again,” Bob emotionally added.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I am unable to give you 100%.
“I am going to miss you, and I love you very much. Thank you for listening,” he concluded.
In April, Bob revealed his cancer had spread when he shared a photo of himself walking with a stick on social media.
“I’m sorry it’s been so long since I last posted but the past few weeks have proved to be an extremely testing time,” he penned in the caption.
Bob went on: “When I posted last time from hospital, we were trying to find the reason for the excruciating pain I was feeling in my back.
“Several scans later, we discovered that my prostate cancer has got into my upper spine…really frightening news.
“So, I immediately began a course of radiotherapy – two weeks in hospital in total – to bring things back under control. Thankfully I’m back at home now, on the pathway to recovery and feeling stronger every day.”
Bob previously suffered a heart scare that forced him off the air in 2019.
He suffered a tear to his aorta which he described as “extremely serious” at the time.
Bob has hosted The Country Show on BBC Radio 2 for a number of years and famously hosted BBC Two music show, The Old Grey Whistle Test, in the 1970s.
