Yahoo News Simon Mayo confirms he's leaving BBC Radio 2 after 17 years as Jo Whiley lands her 'dream show'
Simon Mayo will leave BBC Radio 2 while Jo Whiley will present a new show when Drivetime comes to an end, the station has announced.
Mayo, who has been with the network for 17 years, teamed up with Whiley back in January when a massive shake-up of the station’s schedule introduced the DJ to the weekday drivetime slot .
But the joint show is to end later this year when Mayo will leave Radio 2 for good while Whiley will take charge of her “dream show” from January.
Mayo, who will continue to co-host Film Review with Mark Kemode on BBC Radio 5 live, said that he is “very sad” to be leaving but 2019 would be an “incredibly exciting” year for him.
He said: “I have a new two book deal with Transworld, my children’s series Itch is being filmed for TV in Australia in early 2019, and I’m continuing to develop my novel Mad Blood Stirring for a movie with screenwriter Jack Thorne.
“Radio 2 has been a quite wonderful experience - my happiest in radio I think - but new adventures beckon and I cannot wait to get started.”
In a series of tweets announcing his decision, Mayo defended his colleague from "appalling abuse" and said that he "loved" working with her amid speculation that the two had not got on.
He wrote: "One other thing. Maybe it needs to be said, maybe not but so there is no room for argument I’ll be clear.
"I’ve loved working with the exceptional Jo Whiley and when the show was ‘reconfigured ‘ she was my first and only choice.
"Some of the abuse she has had here has been appalling. Support for a show is one thing, assaulting the dignity of a warm-hearted and loyal friend is another."
One other thing. Maybe it needs to be said, maybe not but so there is no room for argument I’ll be clear. I’ve loved working with the exceptional Jo Whiley and when the show was ‘reconfigured ‘ she was my first and only choice.
— Simon Mayo (@simonmayo) 22 October 2018
Whiley will occupy the waves Monday to Thursday from 7pm-9pm as well as continuing to present In Concert shows and stand in for Ken Bruce in his absence.
Wiley said: “I’m incredibly sad that Simon has decided to leave Radio 2. He’s a brilliant broadcaster, a great friend and I really will miss working with him.
“However, I’m very much looking forward to hosting a new show for a new year which will have music at the very heart of it as well as guests and live sessions. Dream show, actually. Can’t wait!”
Mayo, who will continue to co-host Film Review with Mark Kemode on BBC Radio 5 live, said that he is “very sad” to be leaving but 2019 would be an “incredibly exciting” year for him.
He said: “I have a new two book deal with Transworld, my children’s series Itch is being filmed for TV in Australia in early 2019, and I’m continuing to develop my novel Mad Blood Stirring for a movie with screenwriter Jack Thorne.
Simon Mayo's departure makes him the second big name to leave the station this year after Chris Evans announced he would be leaving the Breakfast show, to be replaced by Zoe Ball .
