Dorothy Walsh

LONDON (AFP) –
Radio veteran Terry Wogan announced on Monday that he will be leaving Radio 2's breakfast show, the nation's most popular, and that he will be replaced by Chris Evans.

Speaking live on air, the 71-year-old said the decision to leave Wake Up To Wogan at the end of the year was the hardest of his career.

"I'd rather leave while we're in love, as the song says, while the programme is the most popular on British radio, while we still delight in each other's company," he said.

"And so we will, until the end of the year, when my good friend Chris Evans takes over. I know that you'll give him the same love and affection you've always shown to me."

Wogan said he will start work on a new radio show in 2010.

Recent figures show Wake Up To Wogan attracts a weekly audience of 7.93 million listeners, making Wogan the king of breakfast radio.

The legendary presenter first started working on the breakfast radio show in 1972. He left to host another show in 1984 but returned to Radio 2 in 1993 and has presented Wake Up To Wogan ever since.

Tim Davie, director of audio and music at the BBC said: "I'd like to thank Terry for entertaining his army of fans for many years and I'm delighted that he has agreed to continue to entertain the nation on Radio 2."

Evans, a popular radio DJ in his own right, will be taking over the reins in January 2010.

Writing in his blog, Evans said: "Good luck Mr W. I promise I will do my utmost not to let you and your listeners down."