Tina Daheley has confirmed she is leaving her role as newsreader on BBC Radio 2's breakfast show, bringing to an end a significant chapter in her broadcasting career. The announcement, made live on air on Tuesday and subsequently shared on social media, concludes a seven-year tenure on the popular programme.
Daheley's career has been synonymous with early mornings, having spent 18 consecutive years delivering news across various BBC breakfast shows. Her extensive experience includes stints on BBC Radio 1Xtra, Radio 1, and Radio 2, where she has worked with presenters such as Chris Moyles, Nick Grimshaw, Trevor Nelson, and Zoe Ball.
In a statement, Daheley described her role as one of the "greatest privileges" of her life, expressing gratitude for the trust placed in her to deliver news on what she noted was Europe's biggest breakfast show. While she is stepping down from the daily breakfast slot, Daheley will not be leaving Radio 2 entirely, as she confirmed she will continue to stand in for Jeremy Vine's lunchtime programme when he is away.
Her departure comes shortly before Sara Cox officially takes the helm of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on 6th July. Cox, who has been covering the slot since Gary Davies's exit in March, is set to welcome Hollywood star Tom Hanks as her first guest. The identity of Daheley's successor as newsreader for the revamped breakfast show has yet to be revealed.
Tributes and well wishes poured in for Daheley from colleagues and industry figures following her announcement. Zoe Ball, her former breakfast show host, praised her as a "class act," while Dermot O'Leary and Sara Cox also extended their congratulations. Daheley's commitment to early morning broadcasting began in 2007 with 1Xtra, moving to Radio 1 before her long-standing role at Radio 2. Beyond radio, she also presents BBC television news bulletins and fronts the current affairs programme Points of View.