Bill Rennells has hit out at the BBC for axing his radio show Harmony Night.
The BBC’s oldest host Bill, 92, saw his programme come to an end on New Year’s Eve.
He insisted the ‘destruction’ of his call-in show, which was broadcast on BBC Radio Oxford, Kent and Berkshire, was ‘cruel’.
The programme, which was on air from 10pm for three hours every Sunday night and was available on BBC Sounds, was given the chop by bosses as part of cuts to BBC Local Radio.
A petition was started by listeners in a bid to keep Harmony Night on air but fans of the show did not succeed.
Bill Rennells has hit out at the BBC for axing his radio show Harmony Night, insisting the ‘destruction’ of his call-in show was ‘cruel’
Bill – who previously hosted the late night programme Nightride on BBC Radio 2 for 14 years – told The Sun: ‘So many adjectives have been used for the destruction of our beautiful Harmony Night and the league leader of those is “cruel”.
‘Our last night was so emotional.
‘It is ludicrous that they destroyed us when the programme was at the height of its strength and popularity.’
Dilys Bound, who started the petition to keep Harmony Night going, wrote online: ‘The programme is unique, as the content is chosen by the listeners, who are an integral part of the show, as they are encouraged to call/message in to speak privately with the presenters, then choose a record to be played for them the following week.
‘Life would be much lonelier for many listeners, as this programme is a lifeline to the outside world for them, being a rare opportunity for contact they would otherwise not have.
‘Bill Rennells has stated: that the programme means so much to him, as he values all his listeners. He is a brilliant host. Plus the two co-presenters based at Radio Oxford wish the programme to continue.’
BBC bosses are now investing more money in the local content that is available on BBC Sounds following changes in listening habits.
A spokesman told The Sun: ‘We are grateful for the commitment, time and energy that Bill put into the presentation and production of Harmony Night and the years he worked as a sports reporter and commentator at BBC Radio Oxford.
The programme, which was on air from 10pm for three hours every Sunday night and was available on BBC Sounds, was given the chop by bosses (pictured in 1978)
‘We have consistently said that we are committed to providing a strong, creative, local radio service for listeners across England and we have maintained all 39 Local Radio Stations.
‘The budget for BBC Local services has not been cut, but audience habits are changing, and licence fee payers want more content available to them when they want it.
‘So we have invested in providing more local digital news and we have increased the local content available on BBC Sounds.’
has contacted the BBC for comment.