Sarah BrealeyPopular Radio Norfolk presenter Roy Waller will be leaving his long-running afternoon show next week - and looks set to retire from the airwaves next year.Sarah Brealey

Popular Radio Norfolk presenter Roy Waller will be leaving his long-running afternoon show next week - and looks set to retire from the airwaves next year.

The 67-year-old is being replaced on the 1-4pm slot by Stephen Bumfrey, who will make way for Chris Goreham on the breakfast show.

Waller's move is the end of an era and is likely to be received with sadness by his many fans.

He will remain as the front-man for Saturday morning country music show Rodeo Norfolk, but the reduction in his workload is the precursor to his planned retirement this time next year.

Mr Waller said: 'It looks like that's it for the afternoon show. I'm still going to be doing the country music show, but not the afternoon show.'

Radio Norfolk editor David Clayton released a statement saying: 'Roy will present his last afternoon show on September 18 before heading off on a planned three-week holiday.

'When he returns, he will be concentrating on the production and presentation of Rodeo Norfolk. He will be doing that for the forthcoming year. He will also be involved in forthcoming projects.

'This is part of a plan Roy and we have been considering for some months, leading to the intention Roy has to retire around this time next year.'

Mr Clayton added: 'In many ways we hope he doesn't retire. Roy's still part of the staff of the radio station. He's merely reducing his workload. I'm delighted he's still broadcasting with us.'

In recent years Waller has regularly been in the news.

In 2004, he claimed to have run naked through the centre of Norwich - having made the rash promise to do so if Norwich City managed to permanently sign Darren Huckerby.

In 2005 he had a 'terrifying' but successful five-hour operation to treat bowel cancer.

At the time, he said that he had to put his 'affairs in order' with his wife Sylvie before the operation, including picking the hymns for his funeral service.

Mr Waller was also the voice of Radio Norfolk's Norwich City coverage from 1981 to 2005, when it was announced that rising star Mr Goreham would take on commentary for away matches.

That eventually became home and away matches, leaving Mr Waller on the sidelines.

In 2008, Waller was given the accolade of Sheriff of Norwich, taking over from Nick Williams and serving the city for a year.

t What do you think of Mr Waller's move and imminent retirement? Write to the Evening News letters editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk.