Liza Tarbuck Leaves BBC Radio 2 After 14 Years

If you’ve tuned into BBC Radio 2 on a Saturday evening anytime in the past decade, you’ve almost certainly heard Liza Tarbuck’s warm, unhurried voice. The Liverpool-born presenter, who described her show as “two hours of radio that felt like a private members’ club,” has been a fixture on the network since 2012.

Show: BBC Radio 2 Saturday evening ·
Years on air: 2012–2026 ·
Last broadcast: 17 January 2026 ·
Special broadcast: Sunday Love Songs (18 Feb 2024)

Six key facts, one pattern: a career anchored by a single, beloved radio show that defined her public presence for over a decade.

Recent Radio 2 Activity

Liza Tarbuck’s most notable recent on-air work came in February 2024, when she stepped in to host a special edition of Sunday Love Songs on BBC Radio 2. The show, broadcast from 9–11am on 18 February, was billed as a tribute to the late Steve Wright, featuring engagements and birthday mentions he had originally planned to announce (OnTheRadio). It was a poignant moment that highlighted her versatility as a presenter.

Her regular Saturday evening show continued to air throughout 2024 and into 2025, with episodes still available on BBC Sounds as of early 2025 (BBC Sounds). The programme’s description emphasises “listener tales of the extraordinary and the everyday,” paired with an eclectic hand-picked soundtrack (BBC Sounds). That consistency of tone—intimate, funny, slightly unpredictable—made her show a cult favourite among Radio 2 listeners.

A Career in Radio and Television

Before her Radio 2 success, Liza Tarbuck worked across television and radio. She appeared in shows like The Fast Show and So What Now?, and later became a regular on QI and Would I Lie to You?. Her television credits include presenting roles on The Big Breakfast and Wogan.

On radio, she began at BBC Radio 1 in the early 1990s before moving to commercial stations like Virgin Radio. Her move to BBC Radio 2 in 2012 marked the start of the longest-running chapter of her career. The show was produced by Spiritland Productions, an independent production company (BBC Radio 2).

BBC programme pages describe her Saturday evening show as “the perfect soundtrack to your weekend” (BBC Radio 2). The blend of listener stories, quirky anecdotes, and music created a loyal following.

The Departure from BBC Radio 2

In early 2026, BBC News reported that Liza Tarbuck was leaving her Saturday evening show after 14 years. The broadcaster quoted an official BBC Radio 2 statement saying the presenter had “chosen to reclaim her weekends” (BBC News). She had not been on air since 17 January 2026.

The Independent also covered the story, repeating the BBC’s line that Tarbuck wanted to step back after a long run (The Independent). The Express reported that Tarbuck had described the show as “a dream come true” and “two hours of radio that felt like a private members’ club” (Express).

The reaction from listeners was mixed—many expressed sadness, while others understood the need for a change. The BBC’s own schedule pages showed that the Saturday evening slot would be filled by other presenters, including Shaun Keaveny on some dates (BBC Radio 2).

One listener-uploaded recording from 17 February 2024, available on Mixcloud, captures Tarbuck’s style—warm, anecdotal, and deeply engaged with her audience (Mixcloud). While the source is a third-party platform, the audio aligns with the BBC’s described format.

Timeline

• 2012: Liza Tarbuck begins hosting the Saturday evening show on BBC Radio 2 (BBC News).
• 18 February 2024: Hosts a special tribute edition of Sunday Love Songs for Steve Wright (OnTheRadio).
• 17 January 2026: Last on-air date for the Saturday show (BBC News).
• Early 2026: BBC announces Tarbuck’s departure, citing “reclaim her weekends” (BBC News).

Clarity: Confirmed vs Unclear

We’ve separated the verified facts from the lingering uncertainties.

Quotes

“The show has been two hours of radio that felt like a private members’ club.”

Liza Tarbuck, as quoted by Express

“Liza has chosen to reclaim her weekends.”

BBC Radio 2 statement, via BBC News

“It’s a dream come true to do this show.”

Liza Tarbuck, as quoted by Express

Summary

Liza Tarbuck’s departure from BBC Radio 2 after 14 years is a quiet but significant moment in UK radio. For the broadcaster, it means filling a slot that had become synonymous with a particular kind of warm, personal storytelling. For Tarbuck, the choice to step away is a deliberate move to reclaim time that had been claimed by a weekly schedule. For listeners, the Saturday evening ritual will never sound quite the same. The question now is whether her distinctive voice will find a new outlet—or whether she’ll remain a cherished memory of weekend radio.

Frequently asked questions

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