Before fans could even fully process the news that Liza Tarbuck was stepping away from her beloved Saturday evening show, something unexpected happened live on air. Filling in on the programme, Shaun Keaveny paused the broadcast and quietly began reading a heartfelt letter addressed directly to his longtime friend and colleague. “Dear Liza,” he began, his voice softening as he reflected on the years they shared within the world of radio and the countless evenings listeners had spent in her company.

Liza Tarbuck hilariously introduces the news on Radio 2

Keaveny spoke warmly about the atmosphere Tarbuck created during her 14 years hosting the show on BBC Radio 2. For many listeners, her programme felt less like traditional broadcasting and more like a gathering of friends. “You made two hours of radio feel like a private members club,” he said, repeating the phrase Tarbuck herself had once used to describe the show. The tribute came shortly after Tarbuck announced on Instagram that she would be stepping down from the slot she had hosted since 2012, writing that the experience had been “the stuff of dreams.”

Since Tarbuck’s absence from the airwaves on January 17, several familiar voices have stepped in to keep the programme running. Keaveny has shared presenting duties with comedian Josh Widdicombe, while Radio 2 controller Helen Thomas praised Tarbuck’s contribution, saying she would be “hugely missed” by colleagues and listeners alike. But Keaveny’s unexpected on-air letter transformed the moment into something far more personal than a routine radio transition.

Farewell Liza Tarbuck, the funniest person on radio

As the tribute aired, listeners across the UK began reacting almost immediately online. Some admitted the message caught them off guard, with one listener writing, “I didn’t expect to cry listening to the radio tonight.” Another posted, “That letter felt like it spoke for all of us who spent Saturday nights with Liza for years.” Many described the moment as a reminder of how deeply Tarbuck’s voice had become part of their weekly routines.

For those who followed the show over the years, the emotional letter captured what made Tarbuck’s broadcasting style so special — warmth, humor, and a sense of belonging that made strangers feel like friends. Even as the programme moves into a new chapter, Keaveny’s tribute ensured that Tarbuck’s legacy on Radio 2 was honored in the most personal way possible.