Chris Evans in tears as he pays emotional tribute to ‘guiding light’ Natasha Shishmanian on final BBC Radio 2 show

Chris Evans struggled to speak as he paid an emotional tribute to his wife Natasha Shishmanian as he bid farewell to BBC Radio 2.

The broadcaster broke down in tears as he hailed her his “guiding light” and thanked her for giving him the confidence to leave the broadcaster after 13 years.

“I would like to thank my wife Natasha – my gravity, my compass, my guiding light,” he said before pausing to compose himself.

“For giving me enough certainty and security to feel confident enough to embark on some uncertainty once again, which is what I like. I crave the uncertainty but you can only do that against a backdrop of certainty. Uncertainty is where creativity lives. Comfort and creativity are not good bedfellows.”

He finished: “None of us like saying goodbye to the things and people we love. Why would we want it any other way.” He wrapped up the speech with Amazing Grace.

Evans reduced listeners to tears, including Nicole Kidman who called in from Australia to send a good luck message.

One viewer tweeted: “Must be getting soft in my old age Chris Evans goodbye to radio two brought a tear to my eyes.”

Another wrote: “Wow mascara warning there #ChrisEvans we’re gonna missing you and your fantastic team. Good luck with your new exciting adventure Merry Christmas to you all at #bbcradio2 and your family’s.”

A third wrote: “Properly choked up at @achrisevans @BBCRadio2 goodbye message. Gosh I’m going to miss this show to start my day. Thank you for your service! #ChrisEvans.”

Evans and Shishmanian have been married since 2007. They recently welcomed twins Walt and Boo, who made their TV debut on James Martin's festive Saturday Kitchen this weekend. The couple also have sons Noah, nine and Eli, six.

Evans is returning to Virgin Radio on January 21. Zoe Ball will take over as presenter on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.