Breakfast show host Chris Evans has announced he will leave Radio 2, and will present his last show in December.

The Radio 2 presenter said he would be going to his "spiritual home" with a new show on Virgin Radio.

He hosted the Virgin breakfast show from 1997 to 2001.

"In many ways Virgin Radio is my spiritual home," he said.

"I see nothing but exciting and groundbreaking opportunities ahead. In a medium that is changing so quickly on a daily basis, the potential for growth is unprecedented.

"Our plan is, to give it all we've got, see where we can get to and have the most possible fun along the way. It makes me smile every time I think about it."

Evans has worked at Radio 2 for 13 years, and broke the news to listeners this morning on his show.

Announcing it on the show he said a hot topic in his house for a little while was "the fact I'm going to leave".

Image: Chris Evans has been presenting on Radio 2 for 13 years. Pic: REX/Shutterstock

He added: "Some of us are mountain climbers, and if you get to the top of your favourite mountain and stay there, you become a mountain observer.

"I've got to keep climbing.

"I'm going to go, and go again. I'm going to start another adventure.

"I've loved every second. It's never been better, it's never been more current, of course there will never be another Sir Terry.

"Mine is a chapter, not an epic."

Evans, 52, took over the breakfast slot from Sir Terry Wogan in January 2010.

In a statement Evans said: "The last 13 years have flashed by in what seems like the blink of an eye. I have learnt so much from so many people to whom I will be eternally grateful.

"As Sir Terry said before me, there's never a right time to leave something you love but there might be a wrong time if you hang on too long. I honestly think The Breakfast Show is currently as positive, useful, sunny and inclusive as it has ever been. In fine shape for its next custodian.

"Whoever that turns out to be, I wish them all the very best, they are in for an absolute blast."

BBC radio presenter Chris Evans
Image: Chris Evans took over the breakfast slot from Sir Terry Wogan

Evans first started on the station's afternoon show in 2005, before moving to the drive time slot in April 2006.

He has won the Sony Music Radio Personality of the Year 2006, 2007 and 2009. His drive time show won The Entertainment Award in 2007 and 2009.

He is married to Natasha Shishmanian, who is expecting twins, and has three children. He is worth about £55m.

Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, said: "Chris has been an absolutely first-class presenter of the Breakfast Show. He has brought both warmth and a genuine insight into what listeners want.

"He has given 100 percent to each of his BBC projects, including raising millions of pounds for Children in Need."

During his time on the show, Evans has raised money for Children In Need through his annual festival CarFest and on-air work.

More from Ents & Arts

He also launched 500 Words, a children's writing competition, which encourages creative writing. This year more than 134,000 children entered, with the Duchess of Cornwall acting as an honorary judge.

The show is currently the country's most listened to radio programme, with more than 9 million listeners. At its peak, it drew in 9.91 million listeners.

Original Article

[contf] [contfnew]

Sky News

[contfnewc] [contfnewc]