Richard Rees retires from BBC after 50 years – end date set for BBC Radio Cymru programme

Radio presenter Richard Rees has announced he is retiring after 50 years at the BBC.

He announced the news during his BBC Radio Cymru programme this morning (4 April), a show he has presented for over 20 years.

Over the course of his career, Rees has worked on a number of radio shows across the BBC, from Sosban and Ar Hyd y Nos on BBC Radio Cymru to Rockpile and Get Set on BBC Radio Wales. Rees' final programme will broadcast on 11 April.

His radio career first began in 1974, working as a freelance presenter and producer for the Swansea Sound station. He also worked a researcher on news and current affairs for HTV, before moving to the BBC in 1976.

Upon sharing the news, Rees recalled his first day working at the BBC in 1976, telling his listeners: "I remember arriving by car at 7.30 in the morning, parking and sitting outside the BBC Centre in Llandaf, staring at the huge building with its big glass foyer and thinking, ‘What on earth am I doing here?’… the huge doubt - was I good enough? I almost drove home."

He continued: "Working with the BBC in Wales for fifty years has been a privilege and an honour on so many levels. It has been a privilege to be welcomed into people’s homes through radio and to get to know audiences and individuals across the country. It has been an honour to represent the world’s most famous and respected broadcasting service on so many occasions.

"It has also been a privilege to work alongside so many incredibly talented people - producers, technicians, contributors and fellow presenters. Many of them are now lifelong and very dear friends. I will always remember the BBC as a lovely place to work, with teams that sometimes felt almost like family - a workplace full of creativity and friendship."

Just two years after he joined, Rees became a regular presenter, responsibly for all BBC Cymru's nightly broadcasts.

Dafydd Meredydd, editor of BBC Radio Cymru, commented: "I would like to thank Richard wholeheartedly for his exceptional contribution over the decades. As one of the station’s first voices, he has offered warm companionship to generations of BBC Radio Cymru listeners, while also championing the Welsh music scene with his quiet passion.

"His dedication and enthusiasm for music have enriched our culture and shaped the sound of BBC Radio Cymru from the very beginning. As we welcome the multi‑talented Huw Stephens to Saturday mornings, we wish Richard all the very best in his retirement - thank you for everything."

From mid-April, Huw Stephens will take over with a new Saturday morning show from 5:30 to 7am.

He said of the appointment: "I’m looking forward to starting a new weekly show on BBC Sounds and on Saturday mornings on BBC Radio Cymru. After 25 years of broadcasting in Welsh at night, this new programme will be a fun musical journey celebrating some of my all‑time favourite artists.

"Broadcasting on Radio Cymru is a privilege, and I hope you’ll join me each week to enjoy a special playlist. Respect and strength to Richard Rees, and thank you for all the music over the years."

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