BBC Radio 3’s Sean Rafferty ‘shocked’ at being replaced after 27 years

Rafferty suggested there was a disconnect between the BBC’s public statements and how it treated its staff. “You look at everything they say, they talk about respect for everyone,” he said.

Asked if he thought ageism was behind the decision, Rafferty said: “I don’t know. I didn’t ask. I was too shocked.

The surprise at learning that his services were no longer needed was partly because Mr. Jackson had previously told him that he was doing an excellent job. “I had a meeting with him when he arrived. He said to me: “Everything is going well, I like what you do.”

“I thought he seemed great, very outgoing, someone who knows his stuff about radio… So I’m not bitter about it, I’m just a little bit perplexed.”

In the official BBC statement, Rafferty said: “I will miss the truly remarkable and rewarding musicians, many of them coming into the studio from the start of their careers: a joy. And being able to share all of this with listeners at home: a privilege. They were like family. »

Rafferty says today: “I told them, ‘I’m very happy to say that I’m going to miss everybody, but I’m not going to say it was my decision, because it wasn’t.'”

He has no hard feelings towards Trelawny, who is leaving the morning show, nor towards Derham. ” Absolutely not. They are great. Petroc has been making breakfast for a long time, God knows he’s been making early mornings. »

“Sad to say goodbye”

Born in Belfast, Rafferty was a presenter for BBC Northern Ireland before joining Radio 3.

“Seeing young musicians coming through has been really exciting. I remember Benjamin Grosvenor coming in to play the piano and his feet barely touching the pedals, and he became this huge star.

“The sound engineers, the orchestras, it’s really wonderful. All the people I work with are great,” he said.

Rafferty said he had built a relationship with his listeners over the years and was sad to say goodbye.

“I was at Grange Park last night and people I’d never seen in my life were saying they were so sorry to hear the news and that In Tune had been a part of their lives for about 20 years .”

Of his post-BBC plans, he joked: “I live mainly in London, but I have a little hideaway in Donegal, so I might go there and learn how to grow vegetables. »

The BBC did not dispute the fact that it had chosen to replace Rafferty on In Tune. A spokesperson said: “Sean has been offered a new weekly show as well as presenting opportunities on Radio 3. Unfortunately, Sean has decided to leave the BBC, which we all respect.”

In his statement announcing the changes to Radio 3, Mr Jackson said: “After more than 50 years of broadcasting, including almost three decades on BBC Radio 3, Sean Rafferty’s impact has been immeasurable – and we all wish him the best for the future. »

Rafferty is not the first presenter to feel let down by the manner in which he left BBC radio.

Reverend Richard Roles said last year he felt “pushed out” when the corporation decided to move its Radio 4 Saturday Live programme from London to Cardiff.

He chose to step down rather than make the move, but the BBC revealed the news in a press release just five days before his final broadcast. “Working for an organisation like the BBC, you put your energy into it and yet they may not always respond with the same dedication,” Coles said.

Tom McKinney will replace Trelawny on the morning show, which will broadcast from new studios in Salford next year as part of the BBC’s ‘Across the UK’ plan to become less London-centric.