BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty, 46, was one of the first to respond after Rory Cellan-Jones announced his departure.
Rory shared his statement on social media, writing: “Some personal news..in late October I shall be leaving the BBC.
“I’ve had the most fabulous time working with brilliant people.
“But after 40 years it’s time to move on…”
Naga bid farewell to the journalist after seeing the post, writing: “You utterly brilliant man – You will be sorely missed x.”
Andrew Marr also joined in in waving goodbye to Rory, tweeting: “Very very sad day for the BBC. And for straight factual news broadcasting.”
Radio legend Simon Mayo tweeted: “We’ll miss you on air of course and particularly you walking past our Wittertainment studio (back when we did that sort of thing).
Rory, 63, declared it was time for him to move on after previously joining the BBC in 1981 – saying he was looking forward to new challenges.
Feeling nostalgic, Rory shared some of his career highlights, starting in 1981 when he was a researcher on Look North where he was on duty during a visit from Pope John Paul II.
He celebrated his past as a TV News producer in London in the ’80s where his colleagues included esteemed reporters John Simpson and Tim Sebastian before becoming a business reporter on the Money Programme, Working Lunch and TV News bulletins.
Rory’s interest in the rise of the internet in the 1990s prompted him to adapt his career to become a Technology Correspondent – with his personal highlights including covering “the launch of the iPhone to meeting the bonkers but brilliant Elon Musk.”
Following an outpouring of appreciation after his announcement, Rory returned to Twitter to express his gratitude at the outpouring of love he had received.
Sharing a snap of himself out walking his dog, he tweeted: “Just a note from our morning walk to say thanks so much for all the lovely messages about my news yesterday. They were hugely appreciated.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
