BBC veteran Laurie Margolis has quit the broadcaster after 50 years. Margolis, who worked on both TV and radio, broke the news about Argentina's invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982.
The now 74-year-old used an amateur radio and broke the news in the UK on BBC Radio 4 PM. Margolis' departure from the BBC was announced on BBC Radio 4 PM on Wednesday evening (August 21) by host Evan Davis.
"Now one of our BBC colleagues is retiring this week. He's been at the corporation for 50 years, believe it or not," he told listeners. "Laurie Margolis is his name and here on PM, we wanted to mark his departure as he gave this programme one of its biggest scoops back in 1982."
Following news of Margolis' retirement, his colleagues rushed to social media to credit his "remarkable" career.
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Sharing a clip of Margolis discussing the moment he broke news of the invasion, BBC Breakfast star Jon Kay wrote: "Laurie Margolis aka G3UML. Leaving the BBC after 50 years. Everyone who’s worked in News knows and respects him. Lovely chap. Remarkable career. And what a story this is…"
Money and Work reporter Peter Ruddick posted: "I have only been at the BBC for eight years but there are names when you hear them, or see them, that make you feel instantly relaxed about the person's journalism. Laurie Margolis is one of them."
West of England correspondent Dan Johnson added: "An absolute legend of BBC News, one of the steadiest hands on the newsdesk and a total gentleman. I got to know the name Laurie Margolis as soon as I started in local radio and he’s been an enormous pleasure to work with. We'll miss Laurie's unrivalled experience and ingenuity."
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ITV News producer Alex Littlewood penned: "Wishing @lauriemargolis all the very best. What an amazing story, that had only ever heard little bits of. Laurie is a total legend at BBC News and many an early phone call from him has got me going to a break story…but never one like this."
BBC star Sanchia Berg said: "Wonderful account by @lauriemargolis of one of the greatest scoops- breaking the news that Argentina had invaded the Falklands. Laurie finally leaves @BBCNews this week after 50 years. Best of luck!"
Meanwhile Robert Thompson, Head of the BBC in London and the East, wrote: "A legend leaves the building. When it was all going off and you rang the newsdesk in a minor panic you knew it would be okay when Laurie picked up. So encouraging of our local teams and someone who truly understood the local expertise we brought."
Laurie began his career at Radio Sheffield before going on to work for BBC Radio 4.
