Sean Styles is stepping down from BBC Radio Merseyside after nearly 30 years on the airwaves, telling listeners he has "enjoyed every minute" of his career at the station.
In recent years, Styles has hosted shows every Saturday and Sunday, but during his nearly three decades of service he has worked across the whole schedule. The decision to step down comes nearly a year after the 40-year comedy veteran announced his retirement from stand-up.
A Career Across the Schedule
Sean, who was born and raised in Kirkby, moved to solo weekday presenting in 2006 and took on the weekend show in 2023. Reflecting on his long and varied career, he said: "Doing radio has taken me far and wide, doing many different types of shows and that's what's made it fabulous."
He said it was his listeners and colleagues that he will cherish the most, adding: "I've made great memories and great friends, and most of those friends I've never cast eyes on, because they're my listeners and we've only spoken down the line or over text messages. But in radio the friendship and the warmth comes through the speakers."
Tributes From the Station
BBC Radio Merseyside executive editor Ben Anderson said: "When Sean told me that it was time to hang up his headphones, I did what every good radio editor should do with someone of Sean's talent - and tried to convince him to stay. But it's the right time for Sean after decades of excellent service to Radio Merseyside - and I wish him the very best for what comes next. We'll all miss him hugely."
He added: "Merseyside lives for the weekends – and Sean will be greatly missed by his audience."
Departures From the Station
Sean previously appeared on TV talent show New Faces in 1986, the same year he was named Liverpool Pub Comedian of the Year.
He concluded: "If I could leave you all with some words of wisdom, I'd say: You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. You don't stop laughing when you get old, you get old when you stop laughing."
Sean is one of a number of the biggest names in the station's history to leave in recent years. Among them are Billy Butler, whose contract was not renewed in 2018, and Linda McDermott, whose show was cancelled in 2023. Roger Phillips retired in 2020, and Jenny Lee Summers announced in August that she would be leaving "in the next year or so." Tony Snell said in March he would be "stepping back a bit", cutting his presenting duties on the mid-morning show to four days a week.
