Veteran BBC radio presenter Garry Richardson has left the station after 43 years on air and five decades at the station.
Richardson began his radio career on a local station in 1977.
He then gave his first sports report on national radio in 1981 as a ‘cub’ reporter for Today, age 24, before working his way up to become a regular presenter on the show.
The broadcaster, 67, also previously presented the Sunday morning sports programme Sportsweek on BBC Radio 5 Live until 2019.
In April this year, he announced he would be stepping down from BBC Radio 4 in September to coincide with his 50th anniversary at the BBC.
As the Today programme’s longest-running contributor, Richardson had many memorable moments behind the mic.
Reflecting on his time as a host, he became tearful in a new interview, telling The Times: ‘I get a bit emotional, looking back.’
Richardson has interviewed some of the biggest names in the worlds of sport, showbiz, and politics, from former US President Bill Clinton to boxer Muhammad Ali.
He’s also spoken with Dionne Warwick, Nelson Mandela, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Speaking to the publication about his career, Richardson shared that he intends to leave the building on September 9, 2024 at exactly 9:45am, having been contracted to start work at the same time on September 9, 1974.
‘So, if I walk out the door at 9:45am on Monday, September 9, 2024 it will be exactly 50 years since I first started. To the second. Because I’m so obsessed with time, they could throw a really lovely party for me, and I’d say, “Sorry, I have to leave, I really have got to be out that door for 9:45”,’ he joked.
However, Richardson also spoke about how hard the early starts have become as he’s got older.
To present his morning show, he started going to bed by 8:30pm, but has rarely managed to sleep all the way through to his alarm.
‘It’s tough – it takes a physical toll,’ he said. ‘
‘These days, I set my clock for 2:45am. But I don’t know the last time it went off. I’m always already awake. The other day I set a record – woke up at 12:15. And I can’t get back to sleep.
‘So, I tune in to Radio 4 Extra and listen to an old episode of Dad’s Army, then head to the studio way before anyone else gets in.’
Richardson also addressed the comments that he inspired Steve Coogan to create Alan Partridge.
‘I’ve got the blazer – I could be his stunt double,’ he quipped.
He then recalled quizzing Coogan on the speculation one before.
‘Actually, I once interviewed Coogan and he denied it was me. But I’d like to think, over the years, I might have done a few quotes that were a bit Partridge.’
The beloved presenter has acknowledged that ‘there’s a bit of Alan Partridge in every sports broadcaster’.
Having confessed to being ‘worried to death’ about his final broadcast, has said he will miss his colleagues. However, stepping back will give him more time to spend with his three adult children and two-year-old granddaughter.
Richardson – who frequently read out betting tips on air before the BBC scrapped them in June – said when his departure was announced: ‘I have had the most wonderful time working for the BBC alongside my heroes from sport and showbusiness.’
Assuring loyal listeners that they’re not getting rid of him completely, he added: ‘I’ll still be broadcasting from time to time, the only difference will be I won’t be setting my alarm for 2:45am and that’s a lovely thought.’
BBC director general Tim Davie also heaped praise on Richardson: ‘Garry is a legendary presenter. So many of us have woken up to him bringing the latest sporting news for over four decades.
‘He has brought wisdom, insight and a smile to every broadcast. 50 years at the BBC is an incredible milestone.’
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