Graham Norton bid an emotional farewell to his listeners, as on Sunday he ended his weekend show on Virgin Radio for the final time.
The popular Irish broadcaster had only 24 hours earlier told his fans live on air that this would be his last weekend hosting the programme.
The beginning of his final show began Sunday morning when he told listeners: “Here we go, one last walk around the pasture.”
His first song of the day was “Pet Shop Boys.” Always on my mind.
Three hours later, Norton said goodbye to his listeners: “My last thanks must be to you, to you for listening to us and sharing your lives with us.
“We loved hearing your letters and knowing what you were doing, what you liked, what you didn’t like, what made you happy and what saddened you throughout those years.
“It has been an honor to sit here and share my weekends with you over the past three years and two months.”
He added of his Virgin Radio team: “It’s a really nice place to work up here at the top of the tower. They create a nice atmosphere and I’ve had nothing but good times up here.” He added: “Goodbye again, see you soon… Thank you very much for your company this weekend.” I hope you enjoy the shows.”
Virgin Radio is owned alongside TalkTV by News UK, with both stations broadcasting from central London. Regarding Norton’s departure, Mike Cass, Virgin Radio’s content director, said in a statement issued to Deadline: “Graham Norton has delighted Virgin Radio’s weekend listeners for the past three years. He has stepped back from the weekend show with our thanks and pleasure that he remains Part of the wider Virgin Radio family.It’s big shoes to fill, and we’ll be announcing the owner of that foot in the coming weeks.
In addition to his duties on radio and television chat shows, for the past decade Norton has commentated for the BBC on the Eurovision Song Contest. Last year, he co-presented the show when it was screened in Liverpool, when the UK replaced previous winner Ukraine as host country.