BBC Radio 2 newsreader Tina Daheley has announced she is stepping away from breakfast radio after 18 years, marking the end of a long-running chapter in her broadcasting career.
The presenter shared the news during an emotional moment on Tuesday morning’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show, speaking to stand-in host Gary Davies.
Her departure comes just days before Sara Cox is set to officially take over the Radio 2 Breakfast Show following recent changes at the station.
Speaking live on air, Tina said it had been an incredible journey working on breakfast radio for nearly two decades.
“It’s been a privilege to have had a whole generation of people grow up with me,” she said.
Tina began her early breakfast radio career in 2007 on BBC 1Xtra, where she first read news on Trevor Nelson’s Breakfast Show. She later moved to BBC Radio 1, working alongside presenters including Chris Moyles and Nick Grimshaw.
Reflecting on that period, she admitted she once thought she had finished with early morning broadcasting after leaving Radio 1.
“I said that’s it, I’m done, I’m hanging up my breakfast show mic,” she previously shared, before later returning to the format.
Her return came when she joined Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show team in 2019, where she continued working until recently. She also later worked alongside Scott Mills, whom she has described as her “work husband.”
During Tuesday’s announcement, she joked that after 18 years of early starts, she now feels ready for a change of pace.
“I’ve been waking up early for 18 years, I think I deserve a lie-in,” she said.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Tina reflected on her long broadcasting journey and thanked listeners for their support over the years.
“After more than 18 years of early alarm calls across BBC radio, I’m stepping away from Radio 2 Breakfast,” she wrote.
She described her time on air as “one of the greatest privileges” of her career and said she felt honoured to have delivered news on one of the UK’s biggest breakfast shows.
Tina also highlighted her beginnings at BBC 1Xtra and her decade-long run on BBC Radio 1, where she reached millions of young listeners across the UK.
After more than 18 years in early morning broadcasting, she said she is now looking forward to a slower start to the day.
“I’m looking forward to a lie-in,” she added, joking that there may be “a record” in her long breakfast radio run.
Despite stepping back from breakfast radio, Tina confirmed she will remain part of BBC Radio 2, continuing to appear in other time slots when needed, and will also feature on BBC One after the summer.
She also paid tribute to incoming presenter Sara Cox, wishing her well as she prepares to take over the Breakfast Show.
“I’ll be tuning in while doing the school run,” she said, adding that her young daughter is excited to have more time with her at home.
Messages of support quickly followed her announcement, including from former Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, who praised her as a “class act” and encouraged her to enjoy a later start to the day.
Tina’s departure comes during a wider period of change at BBC Radio 2, with Sara Cox set to begin her new role shortly.
📌 Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
