Kirsty Wark is walking away from presenting ‘Newsnight’ after 30 years.
Kirsty Wark is walking away from presenting ‘Newsnight’ after 30 years
The show’s longest-serving presenter, 68, will be stepping down after the next general election but will continue presenting other BBC shows including ‘The Reunion’ and ‘Start the Week’ on Radio 4, along with documentaries.
Kirsty – who according to the BBC’s latest annual report earned £280,000 to £284,999 in 2022/23, said about her era-ending exit: “When the time comes it will be a massive wrench. However, I’ll be leaving Newsnight but not the BBC.
Wark 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 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.”
Kirsty started in the ‘Newsnight’ role in 1993.
The Scottish television presenter has reported on eight prime ministers along with interviewing arts figures such as the playwright Harold Pinter in 2006.
Kirsty interviewed with Lord Macpherson following his inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, and in America, talked with victims of Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro.
She also reported and presented from Scotland after the 1996 Dunblane massacre, when gunman Thomas Hamilton shot dead 16 children and their teacher in the village primary school before turning the gun on himself.
Mr Davie said: “Generations of ‘Newsnight’ viewers have benefited 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.”
The news follows claims ‘Newsnight’ is facing financial cuts, as well as the departure of its editor Mr Maclean to become BBC World News’ Africa bureau chief in Nairobi.
He marked Kirsty’s departure by sharing an image on X of a cake in the shape of the numbers three and zero, and said working with her was an “absolute joy”.
He added: “Kirsty’s announced that she’ll step down from ‘Newsnight’ after the next election. We’ll miss her massively when she does.
“Kirsty’s been central to so much of the programme's coverage over the last three decades, but still bounds into the office each day with the energy and enthusiasm of someone arriving for their very first shift.”
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