FEATURE: One of the Family: Saying Farewell and Thanks to the Legendary Shaun Keaveny of BBC Radio 6 Music

FEATURE:

 

 

One of the Family

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PHOTO CREDIT: BBC Radio 6 Music 

Saying Farewell and Thanks to the Legendary Shaun Keaveny of BBC Radio 6 Music

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YESTERDAY…

the legendary Shaun Keaveny announced he was departing BBC Radio 6 Music. It came as a shock to everyone, as he has been part of our radio lives for so many years. I have been listening to him for at least seven years. He has provided so much joy and comfort to the BBC Radio 6 Music family through his spell there. He is leaving in September and, whilst so many people have shared their memories and love of him, I wanted to add something myself. Before sharing my own thoughts, here is some expansion regarding the news:

“BBC 6 Music presenter Shaun Keaveny is to leave the station in September after 14 years.

The DJ, host of the afternoon show since January 2019, said: "Things change, places change, people change, and it's time for a change."

He thanked listeners for being "unceasingly funny, always kind" and being there through "births... bad curries, deceased pets, the lot".

A new afternoon schedule will be announced in due course.

Keaveny joined 6 Music in 2007, originally hosting a late evening programme before taking over the breakfast show that April. He stayed in that slot for 11 years before moving to the early afternoons.

Samantha Moy, head of 6 Music, said: "From night time to breakfast time to lunchtime, Shaun has created a world on 6 Music that is distinctly his own and which has been a joy to share. His listeners, fellow presenters and all of us at 6 Music will miss him.

"When he leaves us in September, it will be with a huge amount of love and the warmest of wishes for his next wonderful adventure. Thank you Shaun."

Reacting to the announcement, a post on the 6 Music Twitter account read: "Thank you for everything... your listeners, fellow presenters and all of us at 6 Music will miss you greatly”.

I am not sure where he is going and whether he is going to another radio station. Maybe he wants to take some time out to be with his family. I would love to think that he is moving to BBC Radio 2 and is simply just going to a different floor in Wogan House (which is where he broadcasts from on BBC Radio 6 Music), London. I suspect that he will take some time out to weigh up his options. He is forty-nine next week, so he has many more years in radio left. The fact that such an enormous wave of affection has come in shows what a special place he holds in people’s hearts! One of the big reasons why I listen to BBC Radio 6 Music is him. I have had so many terrible days vastly improved by his humour, warmth, silliness and genuine concern for the listeners. He has turned features that could have otherwise seemed short-lived and boring – like Small Claim’s Court – into radio institutions. From his relied-upon cartwall (where he plays sound clips and bits and bobs through his show), to his once-a-day dead air bits (where he will remain silent for a few seconds before shouting “Ha!” at the listener – lest we think he has disappeared). One of the greatest pulls of his show is the partnership with Matt Everitt. He and the music news presenter have a deep friendship.

They have been working alongside one another for so long. It will be a deeply emotional day in September when they broadcast alongside one another for the final time on BBC Radio 6 Music. Whilst they will still see each other a lot, hearing those who chat weekday afternoons is a real buzz. They have such love for one another Rather than be mawkish and treat this like an obituary, I wanted to send my thanks and respect to a man who has provided countless hours of radio gold. He is going to be sorely missed. Whichever station gets him next, are going to be extremely lucky! I feel one of the reasons why BBC Radio 6 Music survived being axed back in 2010 is because people like Keaveny and his colleagues stood up and let their voices be heard. The station is not going anywhere at all now! We can, in no small part, have him to thank for that. The commitment to the job and the BBC Radio 6 Music family has been in his bones and blood since he started. Afternoons will be different come September. Whilst Keaveny has said that things and people change, it is still very sad. When someone is at a station so long, you feel as though they will never leave. When the day does come, it is almost like a childhood friendship has ended and your mate is moving away. You know they are not gone and you can contact them, though things are not going to be as they were. I said I would not get mawkish!

We have three more months of his company, so I for one am going to enjoy every moment. I work very close to BBC Radio 6 Music (about three minutes away), and I have walked past Shaun Keaveny a fair few times. Every time, it is both strange and utterly normal that he should be walking down Great Portland Street or New Cavendish Street! Come September, one suspects (or hopes) that the last of the social restrictions will be lifted. Keaveny can receive hugs from his colleagues. I suspect that, on his final day, there will be fans by Wogan House that will want to say goodbye to someone that feels like part of their family. Even though he is often self-deprecating, he himself cannot deny the effect he has had on millions of people. It has been a real pleasure listening to his breakfast and afternoon shows for so many years. The pandemic has been especially tough for so many of us. Having a station like BBC Radio 6 Music in our world has been a giant fountain of support and joy. Broadcasters like Shaun Keaveny have been there through it all. From the Jeremy Vine clips on the cartwall, to his must-hear bits with Matt Everitt, to the dead air and everything else, we all thank him for being there; being like a good friend to us all. His colleagues and listeners are so…

ETERNALLY grateful for everything.

Sam Liddicott