Graham Norton bid emotional farewell to his listeners, signing off on Sunday for the last time from his weekend show on Virgin Radio.
The popular Irish presenter had just 24 hours before told his audience live on air that this would be his last weekend hosting the program.
The beginning of his final show Sunday morning began with him telling listeners: ”’Here we go, one last gallop around the paddock.”
His first song of the day was Pet Shop Boys’ Always on my Mind.
Saying goodbye three hours later, Norton told his listeners: “My final thank you has to be to you, to you for listening and sharing your lives with us.
“We’ve loved hearing your messages and finding out what you’ve been up to, and what you’ve liked, what you haven’t liked, what’s made you happy, what’s made you sad over those years.
“It has been such a privilege to sit here and share your weekends with you for the last three years and two months.”
He added of his Virgin Radio team: “It is a really lovely place to work here at the top of the tower. They’ve created such a nice atmosphere and I’ve only had good times here.” He added: “Goodbye again, see you soon … Thank you very much for your company this weekend. I hope you enjoyed the shows.”
Virgin Radio is owned alongside TalkTV by News UK, with both stations broadcasting from the centre of London. Of Norton’s departure, in a statement released to Deadline, Virgin Radio Content Director Mike Cass said: “Graham Norton has delighted Virgin Radio’s weekend listeners for the last three years. He steps back from the weekend show with our thanks and with our delight that he remains part of the wider Virgin Radio family. His are big boots to fill, and we’ll be announcing the owner of those feet in the weeks to come.”
In addition to his radio and TV chatshow duties, Norton has for the past decade commentated for the BBC on the Eurovision Song Contest. Last year, he co-presented the show when it was staged in Liverpool, when the UK took the place of host nation for the previous winners Ukraine.
