The English actress and comedian, 61, has been the host of Radio 2’s6-8pm show since 2012 and has since amassed an army of loyal fans

Liza Tarbuck has left her loyal fans reeling after announcing her decision to step down from BBC Radio 2’s beloved Saturday evening show. The English actress and comedian, aged 61, has been the host of the 6-8pm show since 2012, building a dedicated following over the years. But now, after 14 years, Liza has revealed she’s ready to reclaim her weekends, and the news has shaken both her colleagues and her listeners.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Liza shared the news in a handwritten note that read: “I think you’ve guessed, some fool left a door open & I sneaked out – a French exit!” She continued, “Together we made 2 hours of radio feel like a private member’s club… Thank you for letting me in, it’s been a privilege. See you on the ice.”

Sharing the news, Liza posted a handwritten note on Instagram on Wednesday reading: ‘I think you’ve guessed, some fool left a door open & I sneaked out – a French exit!
 
Liza was flooded with comments from colleagues and friends alike, including her friend and Saturday afternoon host Rylan Clark
 
EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy shared the sentiment, writing: ‘What am I going to do though. The best two hours of radio in my life’
 

Elsewhere weekday evening presenter Jo Whiley said: ‘This is terrible news for us all. Just mentally trying to recalibrate my Saturday evenings’
 
Actress and presenter Lisa Faulkner commented: ‘I am so so sad. I LOVE your Saturday show. I love you’
 

Liza’s replacement Shaun also paid a tribute, writing: ‘Liza, you stand among the greats. You’re my hero shoulder to shoulder with Terry, Steve, all that lot. You did it best’
 
BBC Radio 2 presenter Sally Traffic: ‘Gonna miss my Saturday hug. And of course your Saturday brilliance. Luv ya’
 
Liza has decided she’d like her weekends back and has revealed she is stepping down from the presenting gig – much to the dismay of her famous colleagues

The announcement left her colleagues, including friend and fellow presenter Rylan Clark, deeply emotional. Rylan wrote, “I’m gonna miss you so much. 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 .”

Fans also shared their devastation as they wrote: ‘This should be discussed in Parliament. It’s a national disaster’

Other familiar faces, including EastEnders actress Natalie Cassidy and BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley, expressed their sadness at the loss of Liza’s Saturday show, with Natalie calling it “the best two hours of radio in my life” and Jo admitting that she was “bereft.”

Liza’s show was a Saturday staple for many, and her departure has left fans devastated, with some even calling it “a national disaster.” One fan wrote, “This should be discussed in Parliament.” Many listeners also flooded social media with messages of sadness, asking for her past shows to be available on BBC Sounds, hoping to preserve her radio legacy.

In the wake of her departure, Shaun Keaveny, the BBC Radio 6 presenter, will step in to cover the show until the end of March, with BBC Radio 2 promising more details on future plans to be revealed shortly.

Liza’s heartfelt exit has left a void that fans and colleagues alike are struggling to fill, with many hoping for a future return. As Liza bows out, she leaves behind a legacy of cherished moments and a massive gap in the hearts of those who tuned in every week.