BBC's oldest radio presenter, 92, blasts 'heartless' axing of iconic show | D47DNL8 | 2024-03-05 21:08:01
A person who was as soon as the BBC's oldest radio presenter before his show was axed on New Year's Eve has hit out at the 'heartless' choice.
Invoice Rennells, 92, hosted the Harmony Night time call-in programme on BBC Native Radio, which allowed listeners in Berkshire, Kent and Oxford request their favourite songs.
The programme was axed on New Year's Eve 2023, reportedly not because of price range cuts, and while the BBC praised Invoice for his 'commitment, time and power', but insisted the show was axed because of 'viewers habits'.
Bill had labored at the BBC for over 40 years, first becoming a member of as a information producer at Radio Oxford in 1970, and referred to as the choice 'merciless['.
Now the previous broadcaster has shared updates on his life on the Concord Night time web site and his newest entry on March three contained some very robust words for the BBC.
He revealed in a publish that he and his companion Rita had listened to the last-ever Harmony Night time episode collectively, with 'combined emotions'.
'The uppers have been the heart-warming messages we acquired from you, the downers have been within the incredulity that the BBC must be so heartless as to destroy such a jewel within the crown as Harmony Night time and to trigger such heartbreak in the course of.'
He went on to say: 'I find no joy in predicting that inside 10 years or so, there shall be no BBC.'
Invoice shared updates on his and Rita's family, together with youngsters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and stated 'we wish this type of happiness on all our extended Concord Night time household.
'Our joint love is something the BBC can't destroy.'
When Harmony Night time was first axed, Bill didn't maintain back in his thoughts with a press release to The Solar.
He stated: 'So many adjectives have been used for the destruction of our lovely Concord Night time and the league chief of those is "cruel".
'Our last night time was so emotional. It is ludicrous that they destroyed us when the programme was on the peak of its power and popularity.'
A BBC spokesperson stated: 'We're grateful for the dedication, time and power that Bill put into the presentation and manufacturing of Concord Night time and the years he labored as a sports activities reporter and commentator at BBC Radio Oxford.
'The price range for BBC Local providers has not been reduce, but audience habits are altering, and licence charge payers need more content material out there to them when they want it. So we now have invested in offering extra native digital information and we've got elevated the native content material out there on BBC Sounds.'
After eight years at Radio Oxford, Bill joined Radio 2, initially on the Thursday night time graveyard slot in addition to fronting Music From The Films.
By early 1984, he was internet hosting the early morning programme, and by the top of the yr he took over late night time show Nightride, which started a 14-year run until 1993.
He rejoined Radio Oxford in 2011.
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