Beloved BBC Radio host announces she’s leaving flagship show after six years and more than four decades with broadcaster
A BELOVED radio host has announced she's leaving her flagship show after six years.
Martha Kearney has been a familiar voice on BBC Radio 4 for the past four decades.
However, the journalist has announced she will step down from her current show after the next General Election.
She's hosted current affairs programme Today for the past six years on the station.
Announcing her departure, the 66-year-old said: “I have loved working on Today with its incredible reach and influence but now it’s time to move on to pastures new - literally.
“I am really looking forward to sharing my passion for nature in an exciting new series as well as a much-loved favourite programme. And I won’t be missing that 3am alarm call.
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"I have been planning my move for a while now and the general election, which will be my eleventh, is the right point to move on."
Martha, who joined the Beeb back in 1998, will remain with BBC Radio 4.
Bosses have announced she will host an number of projects for the station, including This Natural Life later this year.
The BBC's Director General Tim Davie paid tribute to Irish-English journalist in a statement.
He said: "Martha has been an outstanding Today presenter, thanks to her hallmark incisive questioning, warmth, and connection with the audience.
"She is an immensely respected and popular journalist, and I’d like to thank her on behalf of the BBC and her millions of listeners.
"I’m delighted Martha’s illustrious BBC career will continue on Radio 4 - giving listeners outstanding programming beyond the election."
Martha previously revealed how she endured “humiliating” sexual harassment while a young journalist.
The BBC presenter said she had to put up with men touching her bottom during her time as a Westminster correspondent at radio station LBC in the 1980s.
She said how she regrets never confronting bosses over the behaviour, saying: “It was horrible and humiliating."
