The Reverend Richard Coles has admitted he's sad to be saying goodbye to his Radio 4 programme Saturday Live after 12 years following the BBC's decision to relocate the show to Cardiff.
Coles co-hosts the show with broadcaster Nikki Bedi and their final programme will air this Saturday.
The Strictly Come Dancing star revealed he would have preferred if the show "which pleases listeners" stayed in London and it was not his decision for it to move.
Coles revealed he's disappointed with the way the BBC has handled his exit with very little publicity regarding his impending departure and final show.
Despite 12 years hosting the programme, his exit failed to earn its own announcement and instead was detailed in a general statement about Saturday Live's content for this weekend.
Expressing his disappointment, Coles said: “If you leave a programme after 12 years, a gentler process would have been nice. But what happens happens.
"It just feels a little bit rushed. It’s been frustrating for me having to wait for an announcement, and now it’s my last programme on Saturday. I’d rather have had a longer goodbye to listeners.”
“It just feels a bit sad. I’m sorry to go; I’ve loved the programme, I’ve loved the people I’ve worked with, and it’s been a big part of my life. I shall miss it," he added to The Guardian.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Richard has been brilliant on Saturday mornings and very much continues to be part of the Radio 4 family. We look forward to working with him on future projects.”
Saturday Live's move to Cardiff is part of the broadcaster's wider strategy to move programmes outside of London.
In Richard's original statement, shared by the BBC, he said: "After more than a decade on Saturday Live the time has come to do something different, spend some time on other projects and get my weekends back. I look forward to reappearing on the network in the future and wish the best to Nikki as Saturday Live continues."
Coles' departure is one in a long line of big stars that have recently stepped down from their roles on BBC radio.
Ken Bruce left his Radio 2 show, after 31 years, earlier than anticipated after he was asked not to complete his contract.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's entirely within the BBC 's right to ask me to step away a little early. But for the sake of 17 days, which was all that was remaining [on my contract], it seems a shame."
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