Richard Rees Announces Retirement After Five Decades with BBC
Presenter Richard Rees has announced his retirement following 50 years of work on BBC programmes.
He revealed his retirement on his show, Richard Rees, on Saturday morning on BBC Radio Cymru, a programme he has presented for over 20 years.
His final show will be broadcast on 11 April.
Over the years, he has worked on a wide range of shows across BBC stations: from music programmes such as Sosban and Ar Hyd y Nos on BBC Radio Cymru to Rockpile and Get Set on BBC Radio Wales; and from entertainment to news, covering current affairs and the world of sports.
'It Has Been a Privilege'
Reflecting on his career, he recalled a memory from his first day working for the BBC in 1976:
"I remember arriving by car at 7:30 in the morning, parking and sitting outside the BBC Centre in Llandaff staring at the huge building with the large glass foyer thinking 'What on earth am I doing here?'... the big doubt was, were we good enough? I nearly drove home again."
He continued:
"Working with the BBC in Wales for half a century has been a privilege and an honour on many levels.
"It has been a privilege to have access to people's homes through radio and to get to know an audience and individuals across the country.
"It has been an honour to represent the most famous and respected broadcasting service in the world on so many occasions."
Dafydd Meredydd, Editor of BBC Radio Cymru, said:
"I would like to sincerely thank Richard for his exceptional contribution over the decades.
"As one of the first voices on the station, he has offered warm companionship to generations of BBC Radio Cymru listeners, while also promoting 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 since the very beginning."
Dafydd Meredydd added that Huw Stephens will succeed Richard Rees with a new show on Saturday mornings from 5:30 to 7:00.
