UMVA has learned that BBC Radio 2 newsreader Tina Daheley is leaving her breakfast radio show after 18 years of presenting, a decision she revealed during an emotional moment on Tuesday morning's Radio 2 Breakfast show.
The 45-year-old presenter shared the news live on air, telling her listeners: 'It's been a privilege to have had a whole generation of people grow up with me.' Her exit comes just days before Sara Cox is due to take over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show as the new permanent host.
In an Instagram statement, Tina added: 'After more than 7 years of early alarm calls on Radio 2, I'm stepping away from Radio 2 Breakfast.' She described it as 'one of the greatest privileges of my life to wake up with you every morning, and humbling to have been trusted to deliver the news on the biggest breakfast show in Europe.'
Tina's journey on breakfast radio began on 1Xtra back in 2007, where she landed her dream job reading the news on Trevor Nelson's Breakfast Show. She then moved to Radio 1, working with Chris Moyles and Nick Grimshaw on the Breakfast Show as the sports and news presenter.
After 18 years and six back-to-back breakfast shows, Tina is looking forward to a lie-in. She ended her post by wishing Sara and her team the very best of luck, and mentioned that her daughter Athena, five, is 'so excited to have her mummy back'.
Tina also teased a potential new project with the BBC, writing: 'I'm not leaving Radio 2, you'll hear me between 12-2pm when Jeremy's away and you'll see me on BBC One after the summer. Beyond that, watch this space.'
The news sparked an outpouring of support from her colleagues and fans, with Zoe - who quit Radio 2 last year - writing: 'Love you Tina. Class act darling girl. I can highly recommend the later start to your day.'
