Parkinson quits radio to go travelling

Michael Parkinson has quit his long-running BBC Radio 2 show so that he can go travelling around the world with his wife.

The veteran broadcaster had already announced that he would be quitting his TV talk show at Christmas after thirty years. But he has now decided that he should end his Sunday Supplement show on the radio as well to free up his time.

Parkinson will broadcast the last show in December before jetting off to Australia for a family Christmas.

He revealed he would then spend most of his free time travelling and writing his autobiography.

The 72-year-old said: "My wife Mary and I want to wander around and see places we have never been able to see before. I have been to France and Italy and so on as a working journalist but not as a holidaymaker.

"I have been working for most of my life so it is about time I had a break.

"We have wanted to spend more time in Australia where my grandchildren are. I would like to live in New York for a few months of the year and there are parts of Europe that we have never been able to see."

BBC Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas said about the news: "I wish Michael well. He has given Radio 2 many years of great service. His Sunday morning show will be missed."