Radio veteran Eddie Mair has announced that he will be stepping down from LBC this summer in order to retire at the age of just 56.
The presenter has been with the talk radio station for the last four years, having joined after 31 years at the BBC, including a stint as host of Radio 4's PM programme.
Recent industry rumours have suggested that Mair was unsettled by Andrew Marr's recent arrival at LBC, but in a statement explaining his decision, Mair was full of praise for the broadcaster.
"My only regret about LBC is not joining sooner. I'm having a ball and all things being equal would probably carry on forever," he said. "They love radio at Global and support it. But the one thing I don't have on my side is time.
"Like many others, during Covid I had a rethink about life and in the summer of 2020 told my bosses and close friends and colleagues about my plans to leave.
"I've been at this for 40 years and I want to have a little time for me before I croak. So I will carry on as a devoted LBC listener but pass things on to someone new and I wish them all the best."
James Rea, Global's director of broadcasting, said: "Eddie is a true legend of broadcasting with a hugely successful career spanning four decades.
"We are incredibly grateful for his outstanding contribution to radio and journalism, and, most recently, towards the phenomenal success of LBC, helping it to grow to become the UK's number one commercial news talk brand.
"Such is Eddie's dedication that he agreed to stay on at LBC long after he originally planned to retire – something that I am personally grateful for, as is everyone in the entire Global family.
"We respect what is a personal decision for him, we will miss him enormously and he will leave with our very best wishes for a happy and enjoyable retirement."
Mair's final show will air in August.
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