After more than a decade of lighting up Saturday evenings for millions of listeners, Liza Tarbuck has announced her departure from BBC Radio 2’s beloved 6pm to 8pm show—a move that has left fans and colleagues alike reeling. The 61-year-old presenter, actress, and comedian made her exit public with a handwritten note on Instagram on March 11, 2026, confirming widespread rumors that had swirled since her recent absence from the airwaves. Her reason? A simple, heartfelt desire to reclaim her weekends after 14 years at the helm.

Tarbuck’s Instagram post, brimming with her trademark warmth and wit, read: “I think you’ve guessed, some fool left a door open & I sneaked out – a French exit! Together we made 2 hours of radio feel like a private member’s club, that’s the stuff of dreams, thousands of people enjoying each other’s company like great friends. Imagine what else we could do. Thank you for letting me in, it’s been a privilege. [TARBUCK doffs a battered bowler hat & bows deeply] See you on the ice.” According to The Independent, she described the show as “the stuff of dreams,” emphasizing the unique connection she built with her listeners.

Since 2012, Tarbuck’s Saturday night slot became more than just a radio program—it was a weekly ritual, a gathering place where music, laughter, and camaraderie flowed as freely as the banter between songs. As BBC News reported, she reflected on this community in her farewell: “We made 2 hrs of radio feel like a private members club, that’s the stuff of dreams. Thousands of people enjoyed each other’s company like great friends… Thank you for letting me in, it’s been a privilege.”

The announcement was met with a wave of emotion across social media, as both fans and colleagues expressed their sadness and support. Jo Whiley, fellow Radio 2 presenter, wrote on Instagram: “This is terrible news for us all. Just mentally trying to recalibrate my Saturday evenings. No one cared more about their listeners than you, Liza. As a fan, I am bereft. Thank you for the music and chat, the love and support LT. The broadcaster’s broadcaster – much love.” Rylan Clark, another friend and Saturday afternoon host, added: “I’m gonna miss you so much. Genuinely. I’m so lucky to have worked with you for so long. Thank you for making me cackle on and off air. I love you.”

Listeners, too, were quick to voice their heartbreak. One fan’s dramatic comment summed up the mood: “This should be discussed in Parliament. It’s a national disaster.” Another likened the loss to the end of The Beatles, while some pleaded with the BBC to make Tarbuck’s entire back catalogue available on BBC Sounds. “Absolutely gutted. We await your return somewhere somehow with bated breath. You are loved,” wrote another devoted listener, as reported by Daily Mail.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, was effusive in her praise for Tarbuck’s contribution: “Every Saturday evening, Liza created a truly magical, fantastical world. She was beloved by everyone at the station and all her listeners, and the door at Radio 2 will always be open for her. Liza will be hugely missed, and we wish her the very best of luck for the future.” Thomas’s words echoed the sentiments of many within the BBC, with RadioToday noting her recognition of the “magical” and “fantastical” atmosphere Tarbuck brought to the airwaves each week.

Tarbuck’s tenure at Radio 2 began in 2007, initially as a stand-in alongside Mark Radcliffe during Steve Wright’s absence. She quickly became a fixture, covering various shows and hosting specials before landing her own regular slot in 2012. Her unique blend of humor, empathy, and eclectic musical taste made her show appointment listening for a loyal army of fans. As The Independent highlighted, she is “the broadcaster’s broadcaster”—a sentiment echoed by colleagues and listeners alike.

Her departure comes amid a period of significant change at Radio 2. In recent years, the station has seen the exits of other household names, including Zoe Ball, Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Graham Norton, and the late Paul O’Grady. While some slots have struggled to retain listeners after such high-profile departures, Radio 2 remains the UK’s most popular radio station, drawing 12.8 million listeners each week, according to The Independent.

In the wake of Tarbuck’s exit, Shaun Keaveny—himself a familiar voice from Radio 6—has been tapped to fill the Saturday evening slot until the end of March 2026. Keaveny, who has already taken turns hosting alongside comedian Josh Widdicombe during Tarbuck’s recent absence, paid tribute to his predecessor: “Liza, you stand among the greats. You’re my hero shoulder to shoulder with Terry, Steve, all that lot. You did it best. I’m keeping my battered bowler hat under the table in case you grace us with another round of radio brilliance. All my love xxx.”

The BBC has stated it will announce a permanent replacement for the Saturday evening show at a later date. For now, Keaveny’s stewardship will provide some continuity, but the sense of loss is palpable. As Digital Spy reported, fans and colleagues alike have expressed hope that Tarbuck will return to the airwaves in some form—perhaps even gracing Radio 2 again one day, as the station’s leadership has left the door open for her.

Tarbuck’s career stretches far beyond her radio success. The daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck, she began her career in 1987 with a starring role in the comedy series Watching. She went on to host The Big Breakfast and appeared in a range of television shows, including Extras, French & Saunders, and the BBC’s adaptation of Bleak House. Her versatility and charisma have made her a fixture in British entertainment for nearly four decades.

Yet, it is perhaps her radio work—her ability to create an intimate, welcoming space for listeners each Saturday—that will be most missed. As Sally Traffic, a fellow presenter, put it: “Gonna miss my Saturday hug. And of course your Saturday brilliance. Luv ya.”

For now, listeners are left to reminisce about the community Tarbuck fostered, the music and laughter she shared, and the sense of belonging she cultivated on the air. The battered bowler hat may be doffed, but the door remains open, and the echoes of her Saturday evenings will linger long after her final sign-off.