The Chase: Kirsty Wark forgets to press the answer button
Newsnight's Kirsty Wark has decided to leave her role as the lead presenter on the BBC show after three decades.
The 68-year-old has been a staple on the long-running current affairs show since 1993.
However, after 30 years at the helm she recently announced that after the next election, she’ll be stepping down.
However, Kirsty won’t be leaving the broadcaster completely as she’ll continue to present programmes such as The Reunion and Start the Week on Radio 4.
Speaking about her time on Newsnight, Kirsty said: “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.
“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.”
Kirsty stated that she voiced her wishes to step down from Newsnight last year after speaking to Director General Tim Davie.
She continued: “When the time comes it will be a massive wrench.”
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Going forward, Kirsty told fans she’ll be working on TV documentaries and finishing her third novel as she teased exciting times were ahead.
Touching on her exit from Newsnight, Tim had nothing but praise for the presenter as he thanked her for her work over the past 30 years on the show.
He commented: “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.”
The 68-year-old is the longest-serving presenter on the show and has covered eight Prime Ministers during her time at Newsnight.
However, it looks as though Kirsty isn’t the only figure leaving the BBC show as last week saw the sudden exit of editor Stewart Maclean.
It’s believed he decided to leave the programme as it’s been reported the BBC are considering making huge cuts to the flagship current affairs show.
After leading Newsnight for less than two years, Stewart will now be the BBC’s World News Content’s Africa bureau chief.
In an email to colleagues, which was shared by Deadline, he commented: "I'm acutely aware of how stressful the last few weeks have been for our team amid speculation about proposed changes to the programme.
"I know there's a huge amount of uncertainty and I'm sorry to be signalling my departure at a time of such instability."
Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC regarding the alleged budget cuts.
