Huge BBC presenter leaves role after 30 years saying it's a 'massive wrench'
ok.co.ukKirsty Wark, the longest-serving presenter of Newsnight, is set to leave the show after 30 years.The BBC announced that she will step down as a lead presenter after the next general election.The corporation said the 68 year old will continue to present other BBC shows including The Reunion, Start The Week on Radio 4, and various documentaries.
Kirsty shared her feelings about leaving, saying: "Today I am celebrating 30 years presenting Newsnight. It is an enormous privilege to be involved in such a rigorous, creative programme with a wonderful, talented, bunch of colleagues actually many bunches over the years." She continued: "There's not a day when I don't look forward to coming to the office, and every day I learn something from the team about all manner of things, from aspects of American foreign policy to how to make a great mojito. "Last year I spoke to both to the director-general Tim Davie and to Stewart and signalled my desire to end my three-decade run on the show after the next election, and that's the plan." She admitted: "When the time comes it will be a massive wrench." However, she reassured fans by saying: "I'll be leaving Newsnight but not the BBC.
I'll still be presenting The Reunion and Start The Week on Radio 4, TV documentaries too, as well as finishing, finally, my third novel." She concluded with optimism: "There are exciting times ahead." The Scottish telly star has covered stories on eight prime ministers and interviewed arts figures like playwright Harold Pinter in 2006.
She also had a chat with Lord Macpherson after his inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, and in America, she spoke to victims of Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro.
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