Presenter says it's 'surreal' after final show

Sarah Walker, presented an emotional last show on BBC Radio Berkshire

A long-serving BBC radio presenter said it "feels surreal that it’s come to an end", as she quits after 18 years at the same station.

Sarah Walker, presented an emotional final show on BBC Radio Berkshire from 10:00 BST on Friday morning.

She said she had been "blown away by the all the lovely messages" she received from listeners.

But the presenter said she was looking forward to "new adventures" as she moves into a job in the education sector.

The broadcaster has reflected on her career in radio

Ms Walker, began her radio career 24 years ago, presenting the breakfast show on 2-Ten FM in Reading.

In 2006, she moved to the BBC, working as a freelance presenter for BBC Radio Berkshire.

"I've presented pretty much every show on the station," said Ms Walker, who settled into a permanent slot as the mid-morning presenter from 2017.

She said radio was all she had ever wanted to do but said of her departure: "I needed a change in direction, to face some new challenges and to learn some new skills.

"We’re only caretakers of the radio station for the periods of time we’re lucky enough to be given and it’s time to give someone else a go."

'Such a privilege'

Reflecting on her long career in radio, the broadcaster said: "I’ve loved being a part of listeners’ lives and they’ve been a massive part of mine.

"I’ve had people telling me that I’ve been the soundtrack to them raising their children who are now at university, which makes me feel very old."

She recalled presenting during big moments and challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the Forbury Gardens attacks.

"It’s been such a privilege to do this job for so long and if I’ve even made the smallest positive difference to someone’s day, then it’s been worth it." she said.