LEIGH-BORN DJ Shaun Keaveny bid an emotional goodbye to BBC 6 Music as he broadcasted his last show on Friday (September 10).

The presenter, host of the station's 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".

Born in Leigh in 1972, Keaveny began his career at XFM and in 2007 joined 6 Music, where he hosted the breakfast show for more than a decade, before moving to afternoons in 2018. He has presented festival coverage from Latitude and the Isle of Wight for Sky Arts, appeared on BBC One’s Stand Up for Comic Relief and, in 2010, published his first book, R2D2 Lives in Preston.

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."

Keaveny helped 6 Music break its own record as the UK's biggest digital-only radio station last year - reaching a record 2.56 million listeners, according to Rajar figures.

"For years I felt like I wasn't living up to my potential," he said during his sign-off yesterday. "Why can't I write a sitcom or an album or a novel, something that will live forever and stand the test of time.

"Radio's just ephemeral, right? It's just steam off your cup of tea. Well you're wrong. It's a community and we built this community together."

The 49-year-old is returning with his own podcast series celebrating the world of festivals.

Each episode sees a different music-loving guest curating their dream festival – choosing everything from the line-up to their ultimate celeb festival squad, as well as sharing their most embarrassing festival moments.

He added: “The Line-Up is a chance for me to essentially play God to all manner of great guests and grant them their ultimate festival wishes.

“Whatever they do desire – be it Hendrix jamming with Taylor Swift, or a helicopter on-site delivering their favourite curry. All I ask for in return, like any god worth their salt, is total eternal devotion!”