30 November 2012 Last updated at 16:16

Staff queue up to say farewell to Danny

Danny Floro: 'He learnt all our names and how we like our tea and coffee'

Broadcasting House staff queued up on Friday to say personal farewells to Danny Floro before the Radio Theatre Cafe closed its doors for the last time.

The popular cafe supervisor, who has run the Broadcasting House eatery since its opening eight years ago, was presented with champagne, flowers and an autograph book by Graham Ellis, acting A&M director, on behalf of the appreciative customers.

'You've brightened all our mornings and many of our afternoons,' Ellis told Floro. 'And you're the one person who has learnt all our names and how we like our tea and coffee.'

He said that Floro had been 'a shoulder to cry on' for some. And he wished him well as he prepared to fly out for an extended holiday to Manila to see his parents for the first time in five years.

'We're very sad the cafe is closing and even more sad you're leaving us. But don't forget you also have a family here,' Ellis added.

Graham Ellis surprises Floro with the presentation

Time to move on

The Aramark employee decided it was time to move on when the decision was made to close the Radio Theatre Cafe on November 30. It will be refurbished before new owners take charge.

Floro - who was picked by staff for the Special prize at this year's Audio and Music Awards - turned down the opportunity to work in one of the other BBC W1 cafes, claiming they were 'not the same - they're more commercial'.

'I'm very touched,' he told Ariel after the surprise send-off. 'They are all like a family to me; I have tried to get to know them, help them a little bit - that's how I am.'

'Really special guy'

Roger Wright, Radio 3 controller, described him as a 'really special guy', while Dean Craven, the R3 broadcast assistant who organised the collection, pointed to his 'warm and sunny demeanour'.

PA Melanie Jones said: 'He's a natural; I think it goes with his background. I went to the Philippines on holiday and, as a nation, they give their all, even though they don't have a great deal to give.'

As the packing crates were, rather ignominiously wheeled in, Floro told his supporters: 'I feel at home with all of you guys. You've been good to me.'