Liza Tarbuck leaves Radio 2 Saturday show after 14 years

BBC presenter Liza Tarbuck is stepping down from her Saturday evening show on Radio 2 after 14 years.

She announced her departure to fans on Instagram: "We made 2 hrs [hours] of radio feel like a private members club, that's the stuff of dreams."

Shaun Keaveny, host of the Rock Show, will backfill the slot until the end of March.

Radio 2 controller Helen Thomas said Tarbuck would be "hugely missed" and "we wish her the very best of luck for the future".

"Every Saturday evening, Liza created a truly magical, fantastical world," Thomas said. "She was beloved by everyone at the station and all her listeners, and the door at Radio 2 will always be open for her."

Tarbuck had hosted the show since 2012, but has not been on air since 17 January.

In the interim, Keaveny and comedian Josh Widdicombe have taken turns hosting the slot.

Her absence has not been explained to listeners. At the end of her last programme, Tarbuck said: "I'll be seeing you... won't I? Yes, I'll be seeing you next week."

In her Instagram post, Tarbuck looked back at her time on the show, saying: "Thousands of people enjoyed each other's company like great friends...

"Thank you for letting me in, it's been a privilege."

Keaveny commented on the post: "Liza, you stand among the greats. You're my hero shoulder to shoulder with Terry, Steve, all that lot.

"You did it best. I'm keeping my battered bowler hat under the table in case you grace us with another round of radio brilliance. All my love xxx."

In a statement, BBC Radio 2 said the outgoing presenter had "decided she'd like her weekends back".