Danny Kelly’s ‘love letter’ to the BBC

Even though you’ve decided to break up with me, it doesn’t mean that I’ve stopped loving you.

You’ve told me you’re going in a new direction with somebody else and you’ve told me it’s over.

I’m dreadfully saddened, but also saddened for the listeners.

Over the last six years, you’ve definitely changed.

You used to have a laugh, take a few risks, no talking points were off-limits, put callers on-air who held strong, but for you, uncomfortable views.

But no longer. You decided the listeners should be interested in features that you want them to care about. They voted with their feet.

You’ve lost touch with small ‘c’ conservative listeners.

Yes local radio is suffering and yes listening habits have changed, but nowhere near the figures you’ve lost.

Listeners have abandoned you in huge numbers and the official audience figures speak for themselves.

The listeners deserve better than your obsession with attracting a younger audience.

Some of the sharpest brains belong to older people. Stop taking them for granted please.

Unusually with a split, I truly wish you well for the future. But with this break-up, it’s not me, it’s you!