Kirsty Wark is stepping down from Newsnight (Picture: BBC)
Kirsty Wark is stepping down as a lead presenter at Newsnight, the BBC has announced.
The 68-year-old has fronted the BBC’s flagship nightly current affairs show, for exactly 30 years today, having began in 1993.
She’ll be stepping down after the next election, but will continue to present for the BBC on programmes including The Reunion, Start the Week on Radio 4, as well as 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.’
BBC Director-General Tim Davie added: ‘Generations of Newsnight viewers have benefitted from Kirsty’s authority, her razor-sharp insight and her journalistic flair.
‘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 joined the programme in 1993.
During her time at the programme she has covered eight Prime Ministers and interviewed many prominent politicians and cultural figures, including the final interview with the playwright Harold Pinter.
Alongside Newsnight itself, Kirsty presented the programme’s arts strand Newsnight Review for more than a decade.
Kirsty has also made documentaries on the pervasive nature of social media and its impact on young female mental health, and about the taboo about the menopause.
Victoria Derbyshire also presents Newsnight, with Emily Maitlis previously having held the lead role.
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‘It will be a massive wrench.’