The Yorkshire Post says: BBC will hope listeners don't follow Chris Evans to Virgin Radio

He may not be everybody's cup of tea, but there can be no doubt that the BBC will miss the irrepressible Chris Evans as the broadcaster leaves behind his Radio 2 breakfast show to return to Virgin Radio.

Evans, who took over from Sir Terry Wogan as the host of the Radio 2 breakfast show in January 2010, has created a programme with a regular audience of more than nine million people, making it the UK’s most listened-to radio programme.

The news of his departure may bring some relief to BBC accountants, given he is the corporation’s second-highest earner on £1.6m per year, but also highlights the growing challenge it faces from commercial radio following Eddie Mair’s recent move from BBC Radio 4 to LBC.

It will be a tough act for his successor to follow after his last BBC show airs in December, particularly given that he will presenting a rival breakfast show on Virgin. Radio 2 listeners will be all ears for news of his replacement.