(TC) BBC legend announces they’re leaving broadcaster after ‘life-defining’ 35 years
A journalist who has been at the BBC for 35 years has announced that he is leaving the broadcaster, saying that it’s ‘time for a change’.
In a post shared on X, Mark Urban – who is currently the Diplomatic Editor of BBC Two’s Newsnight – shared his latest career news.
The 63-year-old wrote: ‘🚨personal news🚨I’ll be leaving the BBC at the end of May. Newsnight in its current format will end then, so most posts will go.
‘I decided not to apply for other BBC jobs.
‘Working there for 35 yrs has been life defining: an eyewitness to history collaborating with such brilliant colleagues. But it’s time for a change.’
People immediately began to leave Mark supportive messages, including TV chef Nigella Lawson, who tweeted: ‘It’s our loss.’
Mark Urban is currently the Diplomatic Editor of BBC’s Newsnight (Picture: BBC)
He first took up his role on the programme in 1995 (Picture: Andrew Eaton/Alamy)
Radio presenter James O’Brien added: ‘Good luck, mate,’ while Sky News political correspondent Matthew Thompson penned: ‘A huge loss for the BBC. It was a pleasure to work with you Mark. I learned a lot during my formative years! Best wishes for whatever comes next.’
Sam McAlister, the former TV producer who was recently depicted by Billie Piper in the Netflix drama Scoop, also said: ‘Welcome to the outside, my friend.
‘Thank you for always being such a brilliant correspondent of course, but such a cool, calm, clever colleague, who was always kind and had time for producers. And of course, a brilliant acerbic wit xxx.’
Newsnight’s UK Editor Sima Kotecha shared: ‘Mark you’ve been an inspiration to me for as long as I can remember. Your depth of knowledge and analysis are unsurpassed. You’re a true journalistic legend .. Will miss sitting alongside you.’
In November last year, it was announced that the BBC was making major changes to Newsnight in a bid to save money for the broadcaster, sparking backlash from viewers
