The BBC has announced that Kirsty Wark will stand down as a lead presenter on Newsnight.
The 68-year-old has hosted the BBC’s main nightly current affairs show, which debuted in 1993, for precisely 30 years today.
She will stand down after the next election, although she will continue to present for the BBC on shows such as The Reunion, Start the Week on Radio 4, and documentaries.
Kirsty said: ‘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, led, most recently by Esme Wren followed by Stewart Maclean.
‘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.
‘When the time comes it will be a massive wrench.
‘However, 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. There are exciting times ahead.’
‘Generations of Newsnight viewers have benefited from Kirsty’s authority, razor-sharp insight, and journalistic flair,’ said BBC Director-General Tim Davie.
‘She sets the standard for engaging yet authoritative presenting. I speak on behalf of the whole BBC when I thank her for the past 30 years.
‘I’m delighted the BBC is not losing Kirsty altogether when she steps back from Newsnight and look forward to seeing and hearing her beyond the busy political year ahead.’
Kirsty is Newsnight’s longest-serving presenter, having first appeared on the show in 1993.
During her career on the show, she has interviewed eight Prime Ministers and numerous famous politicians and cultural leaders, including the playwright Harold Pinter.
For more than a decade, Kirsty co-hosted Newsnight Review, the arts component of the show.
Kirsty has also produced documentaries about the pervasiveness of social media and its influence on young female mental health, as well as the menopausal taboo.
Victoria Derbyshire also hosts Newsnight, which was previously hosted by Emily Maitlis.
Source My Celebrity Life.