Chris Evans to leave Radio 2 breakfast show, announces veteran DJ live on air

The broadcaster and his wife Natasha are expecting twins

Chris Evans, host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, has announced live on air that he is leaving the station.

The broadcaster – who is the second-highest paid star working for the BBC – said he was quitting because his wife, Natasha, is expecting twins.

However, since the initial announcement was made, Evans has revealed that he will take over Virgin Radio's breakfast show in the new year.

He previously hosted the network's breakfast show from 1997 to 2001 and will once again take the same slot. He was sacked that year for "breach of contract" after failing to turn up for work after several highly-publicised drinking sessions with his then-wife Billie Piper.

Evans said: “In many ways Virgin Radio is my spiritual home. I see nothing but exciting and groundbreaking opportunities ahead.

“In a medium that is changing so quickly on a daily basis, the potential for growth is unprecedented.

“Our plan is, to give it all we’ve got, see where we can get to and have the most possible fun along the way. It makes me smile every time I think about it.”

Evans was audibly emotional while revealing he would be leaving Radio 2.

“The twins are on their way,” the 52-year-old said. Evans will broadcast his last Radio 2 show in December, 13 years after he debuted on the network.

He added: “Some of us are mountain climbers and if you get to the top of your favourite mountain, you become a mountain observer, so I’ve got to keep climbing. You have to keep shaking it up.”

Evans first joined Radio 2 in September 2005, hosting the Saturday afternoon show before moving to Drive Time in April 2006. He later replaced Sir Terry Wogan as host of The Breakfast Show in January 2010. Current listening figures average 9m.

In a statement, Evans said: “As Sir Terry said before me, there’s never a right time to leave something you love but there might be a wrong time if you hang on too long.

“I honestly think The Breakfast Show is currently as positive, useful, sunny and inclusive as it has ever been. In fine shape for its next custodian. Whoever that turns out to be, I wish them all the very best, they are in for an absolute blast.”

Evans previously hosted shows on Radio 1 and Virgin Radio. He has also presented TV shows, including TFI Friday, Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush and Top Gear, leaving the latter after just one season.

The director general of the BBC, Tony Hall, said: “Chris has been an absolutely first-class presenter of the Breakfast Show.

“He has brought both warmth and a genuine insight into what listeners want.

“He has given 100% to each of his BBC projects, including raising millions of pounds for Children In Need.

“I’d like to thank him for all his efforts over the years and wish him all the best for the future.”

Evans first announced his wife was expecting twins in April. The couple already have two children together, sons named Eli and Noah.

Lewis Carnie, head of Radio 2, has promised that a new Breakfast Show host will debut next year. Names currently being bandied around as possible replacements for Evans include Jo Whiley, Sara Cox, Scott Mills, Chris Moyles and Simon Mayo.

With regards nabbing Evans from the BBC, Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson said of the new appointment: "We're very excited to have one of the world's greatest radio presenters hosting our flagship breakfast show.''