UMVA has learned that Tina Daheley, a beloved newsreader, is leaving her iconic breakfast radio show on BBC Radio 2 after an impressive 18-year stint.
The 45-year-old presenter broke the news to her listeners during an emotional moment on Tuesday morning's Radio 2 Breakfast show with stand-in host Gary Davies. Her exit comes just days before Sara Cox is set to take over as the new permanent host.
Tina's voice trembled as she shared the news live on air, saying, 'It's been a privilege to have had a whole generation of people grow up with me.' She later added a heartfelt Instagram statement, expressing her gratitude for the experience and her excitement to start a new chapter.
In her statement, Tina revealed that she's stepping away from Radio 2 Breakfast after more than 7 years of early alarm calls. She fondly recalled her journey, starting at 1Xtra, where she landed her dream job reading the news on Trevor Nelson's Breakfast Show.
Over the years, Tina has worked alongside notable presenters like Zoe Ball and Scott Mills on Radio 2. Her exit marks the end of an era, with Tina teasing a potential new project with the BBC, hinting that she'll be heard and seen on the network in the future.
Tina's colleagues and fellow presenters have rallied around her, with Zoe Ball sending a supportive message, calling Tina a 'class act.' Sara Cox, who will soon take over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, also praised Tina, expressing her admiration for the departing presenter.
As Tina begins this new chapter, she's looking forward to spending more time with her family, particularly her 5-year-old daughter Athena, who's 'so excited to have her mummy back.' With her departure, fans and listeners alike are sure to miss her warm presence on the airwaves.
