BBC legend Melvyn Bragg has quit his radio show after 27 years as he told fans ” it’s been quite a ride”.
The broadcaster, 85, has hosted more than 1,000 episodes of his BBC Radio 4 show In Our Time since it launched in 1998.
Melvyn Bragg has quit his BBC Radio 4 show after 27 years[/caption]
He has hosted more than 1,000 episodes of his BBC Radio 4 show In Our Time[/caption]
Melvyn said the experience had been ‘quite the ride’[/caption]
He launched the show during what was known as “the death slot” – due to it’s low Thursday morning audience figures.
Lord Bragg welcomed a number of academics to discuss a range of topics from historical, to scientific and philosophical beliefs.
He thanked his loyal listeners for their support over the last two decades and said it was a “great privilege and pleasure” to present the show.
“For a programme with a wholly misleading title which started from scratch with a six-month contract, it’s been quite a ride!” he said in a statement.
“I have worked with many extremely talented and helpful people inside the BBC as well as some of the greatest academics around the world.”
He is set to announce his replacement in due course.
In Our Time became one of the most popular and regularly listened to BBC podcasts among under 35s.
Melvyn led conversations about everything from the age of the Universe to ‘Zenobia’, Queen of the Palmyrene Empire and discoveries that have shaped our world.
Melvyn first joined the BBC in 1961 as a general trainee.
He spent 10 years presenting Radio 4’s Start the Week from 1988 to 1998 as well as numerous arts and culture programmes.
Although he’s stepped down from presenting his current show – he is not leaving the BBC altogether.
The broadcaster confirmed that Melvyn will continue to “be a friend of Radio 4 with more to come to celebrate his extraordinary career, and a new series in 2026 (details to be announced soon).”
Tim Davie, BBC Director General, said: “Melvyn’s passion for the arts, his intellectual curiosity, and his unwavering commitment to public service broadcasting over the last 60-plus years have enriched the lives of millions.
“Through In Our Time on Radio 4 he has brought depth, insight, and humanity to our airwaves every single week for more than a quarter of a century.
“He leaves behind not just an extraordinary body of work, but a gold standard of broadcasting and interviewing excellence that will inspire generations to come.”
Lord Bragg is set to announce his replacement in due course[/caption]