Paul O’Grady joins BBC competitor Boom for a rival show after Radio 2 ‘ageism row’ 

Paul O’Grady joined a rival radio station eight months after leaving Radio 2 following an age discrimination dispute.

The presenter, 67, presented a Sunday show for 14 years on the BBC station before leaving the station amid a mass exodus of popular talent including Steve Wright, Tony Blackburn and Andrew Marr at the corporation.

Now he will repeat his show on Boom Radio and will present his first Sunday show on Easter Sunday together with his regular partner and long-suffering producer Malcolm Prince.

O’Grady’s move comes just two weeks after fellow veteran Ken Bruce hosted his last show on Radio 2 before starting a new position at Greatest Hits Radio, another commercial station, next month.

He said: ‘It’s great to work with the Boom team again. It already feels like my new radio home. My producer Malcolm and I are looking forward to our special TeamPOG show on Easter Sunday; who knows, this could be the start of a regular concert.

O’Grady, born in Liverpool, enjoyed over a decade on Radio 2 presenting the Sunday afternoon show.

But the host didn’t like being asked to share the spotlight with Rob Beckett, 37, so the comedian took over for two three-month terms each year.

Speaking last month, O’Grady confirmed that the schedule shakeup was the reason behind his departure.

He told Metro: ‘I was disappointed because I’m a big believer in continuity.

“If you go out for 13 weeks and someone else shows up, listeners don’t know when you’re back.”

He also questioned Radio 2’s desire to attract younger audiences, saying: ‘Radio 2 has changed, it’s not what it used to be.

“They’re trying to target a much younger audience, which doesn’t make sense because you have Radio 1.”

And he added: “Radio 2 was always for a larger audience.”

Out with the old: Radio 2 fans have accused the BBC of age discrimination as a number of older DJs step back, including Paul O’Grady, Steve Wright, Ken Bruce and Simon Mayo.

Bruce left Radio 2 earlier this month after 31 years.

He accused the bosses of accelerating his departure after his move to commercial radio.

The 71-year-old Scotsman tweeted ahead of his latest show: “I will be presenting my last show on Radio 2 next Friday.

“I had the intention of fulfilling my contract until the end of March, but the BBC have decided that they want me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy next week.

A Radio 2 spokeswoman said: ‘Ken has decided to leave Radio 2 and it has always been known that he will leave in March.

“Coming back to Wogan House for a week after a month of broadcasting the Piano Room sessions in Maida Vale was a natural break. We wish Ken all the best for the future.’

Bruce is being replaced by presenter Vernon Kay, 48, as part of Radio 2’s bid to rejuvenate the station’s lineup.

Other veteran stars, including Vanessa Feltz, 61, Craig Charles, 58, and Simon Mayo, 64, have announced their departure in recent months, after being replaced by younger stars including Rylan Clark, 34. , and Michelle Visage, 54, which drew complaints from listeners. , accusing the station of ageism.

Steve Wright, 68, also left his weekday afternoon show last year, replaced by former Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, 49.

Boom Radio is a UK independent radio station aimed at baby boomers and the bosses hope to appeal to Radio 2 listeners put off by the introduction of younger DJs.

On Christmas Day, O’Grady hosted a one-off show that brought record numbers of listeners to the station.

Speaking about O’Grady’s new show, Boom co-founder Phil Riley says: “It’s a testament to the success of Boom Radio that a broadcaster like Paul, at the peak of his career, has agreed to join us for this special. Easter”.

“We know our audience loved it for Christmas, so it’s great to have it back.”

O’Grady’s Easter Sunday show on Boom Radio begins at 2 p.m.

Moving on: O’Grady’s move comes just two weeks after fellow veteran Ken Bruce hosted his last Radio 2 show before starting a new position at Greatest Hits Radio