Paddy Billington's breakfast show on Yorkshire Coast Radio is to end in August

The Paddy in the Morning host has announced his show is ending ahead of the station becoming Greatest Hits Radio.

He has posted on Twitter: “As part of Yorkshire Coast Radio’s transition into Greatest Hits Radio, I will be leaving the breakfast show in a month’s time, my final show on Friday, August 28.

“If you’ve listened to, or engaged with the show or supported my fund raising over the last near eight years thank you!”

Dozens of fans have posted comments on social media wishing him well and saying he will be missed.

The station’s owner Bauer Media announced in May that Yorkshire Coast Radio would be one of several stations it has bought to be rebranded as Greatest Hits Radio.

It said the change would mean that some roles would be “put into consultation” and “freelance contracts reviewed”.

An online petition was launched entitled ‘Save Yorkshire Coast Radio’, voicing fears that local shows would go and local presenters would lose their jobs.

Nearly 5,000 people have so far signed the call.

Bauer Media last year bought four UK Radio companies: UKRD (previous owners of Yorkshire Coast Radio, Minster FM and Stray FM) along with Lincs FM, Celador Radio, and parts of Wireless.

The acquisitions added 40 radio stations to the Bauer portfolio. Most of those stations will rebrand as Greatest Hits Radio in September.

Graham Bryce, Group Managing Director of the Hits Radio Network Brand, said when the rebrand was announced: “We are committed to ensuring the future of radio in local markets and serving the needs of our listeners and advertisers. However, our top priority right now will be to support those affected through this period.”

Paddy in the Morning is the station's most popular show and has been a hit across the area, with popular features such as ‘Traffic Light Bingo’ and the ‘Thousand Pound Minute’.

In his profile on Yorkshire Coast Radio’s website, Paddy says: “The show is a reflection of my total passion and pride for this area!

“I get out at every opportunity to get local voices on air, to promote charity events and to get involved in as many things as possible from Whitby to Brid and everywhere in between.

“I'm very open about my life on air and I'd like to think people feel they know me really well.

“As well as being a voice for locals, I like to get the biggest stars on Yorkshire Coast Radio.

“Guests over the last few years include Robbie Williams and Rod Stewart!

“It's brilliant getting the big names on and it shows how the radio station has grown in recent years - these big names see the value of giving us their time one morning to promote their new albums and have a chat!”

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