MORNING Show host Phil Gayle is leaving BBC Radio Oxford.

Mr Gayle revealed on Twitter yesterday that from Monday he would be replaced by current mid-morning host Howard Bentham.

Mr Gayle wrote: “I am leaving BBC Radio Oxford, this is my last week! I’ll miss you lots, [thanks for] everything”.

Shortly afterwards Mr Bentham posted: “Absolutely delighted to be presenting the Breakfast Show from next Monday. Well done [Phil Gayle] for a great four years here.”

Mr Gayle has presented the Breakfast Show since January 2011, when he replaced Malcolm Boyden. It is not known what Mr Gayle’s future plans are. BBC Radio Oxford editor Marianne Bell said: “Phil has been a big part of our radio station in recent years and has helped us deliver some of our best audience figures.


Our top stories

 
“We’ve loved having him as a colleague as much as our listeners have enjoyed spending time with him on air. He will be missed by all of us as he leaves with our very best wishes.

“Personality will continue to be at the heart of our radio station and we have some big personalities following in Phil’s footsteps in the shape of Howard Bentham, Kat Orman and Radio 2’s Alex Lester.

“Between them, they bring considerable passion for Oxfordshire and a wealth of experience.”

Mr Gayle led the countdown on the Oxford Christmas lights in 2011, appeared on TV show Dancing on Ice in 2007 and worked on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast in the late 1990s.