News presenter Joanna Gosling is to step down from her job at the BBC 23 years after joining the corporation.
In an article in the Mirror, Gosling, 51, confirmed that she was leaving the BBC and would present her final programme for the BBC on January 26. She said that she was 'proud of her career in news', but it came amid reports that part of the reason for her departure may have been that the BBC was running a series of "auditions" for news presenters in order to keep their jobs.
Along with two colleagues — David Eades and Tim Willcox — it was reported that she had decided to have take voluntary redundancy amid the corporation's plans to merge its international and UK news channels. Earlier this month, BBC News presenters were said to have been facing the axe and were being asked to prove their skills in a "screen test" to keep their jobs.
Announcing her exit on Twitter she wrote: "You may have already heard, but I wanted to confirm, that I have decided to leave the BBC and will go off air on the 26th January. I am very grateful for the kind messages I’ve had from so many of you. I’m proud of my career in news." She did not say what she would be doing next, but added: "Now it is time for new beginnings."
Gosling made headlines just last month when she became emotional while reporting on the deaths of three young boys who fell through the ice in a lake in Solihull, Birmingham. Earlier, in March 2022, she choked up with emotion while announcing Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's release from prison in Iran. She apologised on-air after becoming teary-eyed while breaking the news that the mother of one was "heading to Tehran airport and on her way home".
Her exit from the BBC was met with disappointment and good wishes from both viewers and colleagues. Channel 4 Presenter and Europe Editor and former colleague Matt Frei said: "What a loss to the BBC. You are one of the best they have! Loved watching you and working with you back in the day. Good luck!"
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis reacted with a comical comment harking back to his own BBC departure more than 20 years ago, saying: "Best of luck wherever pastures take you. There is life outside the Beeb (my last day as staff there was 31 Dec 1999)."
Another person posted: "A huge, huge loss for the BBC and its viewers and listeners all over the world. But good luck, stay safe, enjoy the next journey."
BBC correspondent Jenny Hill tweeted to her: "What a loss to the BBC. They’re mad to let you go. I’m sure great things await on the outside!"
BBC Presenter John Darvall added: "Good luck with all you do. From introing you on Channel 5 in the 90s as one of the announcers there to watching you every day as I do my bit on @bbcrb to keep across 'the news', thank you. You will be missed." News of her departure came as the broadcaster looked at a rebranding that would involve the BBC News and BBC World News channels merging, with broadcasts from London during the day and Singapore and Washington at other times.
Under the plans, there would be just five presenting positions on the BBC News Channel. Current hosts were asked to undergo studio-based “practical tests” lasting 40 minutes, according to the i newspaper. Some sources said that the screen tests had been "humiliating" for some of the veteran TV news anchors. According to the Standard news website, presenters including Huw Edwards, Fiona Bruce and Clive Myrie were believed to have been spared the process.
"I think [Eades, Gosling, and Willcox] could not face the prospect of having to go through this ignominious process," one source said. By cutting the number of presenters, the BBC could save around £1million annually.
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