BBC News star Mark Urban has revealed he is to leave the broadcaster after 35 years.
The 63-year old journalist and historian originally joined the Beeb as an assistant producer, before moving to the Independent three years later. Following a brief spell with the newspaper, he returned to the BBC as a reporter for Newsnight as well as working as the their Middle East correspondent.
He was appointed Newsnight’s diplomatic editor in 1995 – a position he still holds to this day – albeit not for much longer. For Mark took to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday (April 14) to admit it was “time for a change”.
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“Personal news,” he began. “I’ll be leaving the BBC at the end of May. Newsnight in its current format will end then, so most posts will go.”
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Mark continued “I decided not to apply for other BBC jobs. Working there for 35 years has been life defining: an eyewitness to history collaborating with such brilliant colleagues. But it’s time for a change.”
His post was met by the support of his 74,000 followers, one of whom gushed: “Mark – very best to you. When it’s come to matters of defence or diplomacy you are someone we’ve always turned the volume up to listen to what you have to say.”
Another penned: “Dear Mark – you’ll be deeply missed. I always looked forward to your Newsnight reports, and always learned from them. Your war reporting from Iraq and Afghanistan was magnificent, and very brave.”
A third added: “So sorry to hear, Mark. What a great stint and what a loss for the BBC. You will be sorely missed. Best of luck with the new chapter.” And a fourth said: “Congratulations on your sharp and extensive reporting and analysis over many years. I look forward to seeing how you continue to deploy your huge expertise and knowledge.”
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
It comes just a week after Radio 4 presenter Garry Richardson announced his own decision to leave the Beeb after five decades. The veteran will hang up his microphone on September 9 – exactly 50 years to the day since he joined the Beeb as a budding junior researcher. After moving into local radio, Garry joined the Today programme in 1981.
He was also the host of Sunday morning’s Sportsweek programme on BBC Radio 5 Live for two decades, until it aired for the final time in 2019. Announcing his decision, Garry said on Friday (April 5): “I have had the most wonderful time working for the BBC alongside my heroes from sport and showbusiness.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
