Clare Teal breaks silence on being dropped from BBC Radio 2 show 'A cycle of emotions'

Clare Teal, 47, has spoken out on her move to Jazz FM after she was dropped from her BBC Radio 2 show. The jazz singer had been broadcasting on the station for 15 years before the decision was made by the BBC.

Breaking her silence on the situation, Clare admitted: “I think it’s been on the cards for many years and maybe the people who had to deliver the news weren’t necessarily the people who made the decision.”

The star went on to reveal that although she’s had time to get used to the news now, she has been through “a cycle of emotions”.

She added: “I was told back in May, so I’ve had a long time to get used to it. 

“I’ve been through a cycle of emotions.”

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“I’ve been on the network for 15 wonderful years and I will be leaving the network just after Christmas.

“Our last show will be on Sunday the 3rd of January.

“So, friends, between now and then let’s celebrate everything that we love about this glorious music, old and new.”

Radio 2 simultaneously announced that Bill Kenwright’s Golden Years series was also the the final instalment. 

A statement from the BBC said: “We would like to thank Clare Teal and Bill Kenwright for bringing such passion and commitment to their shows.

“We are always exploring new ways of reflecting a broad range of genres across Radio 2 and the music they featured will continue to be heard, whether in forthcoming series Top Brass with James Morrison and Barry Humphries’ Forgotten Musical Masterpieces, and within our regular shows, weekly strands such as Sound of the 60s and Jamie Cullum, plus specials.

“We very much hope to work with both Clare and Bill on future projects.”

Clare, who specialises in big band singing, won British Jazz Singer of the year in 2005, 2007, 2015 and 2017, BBC Jazz Singer of the Year in 2006 and Boisdale Jazz Singer of the year 2016.

She was also awarded a Gold Badge by BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) in 2011 and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music by the University of Wolverhampton in 2015.

Read the full interview in this week’s Radio Times – out now.