The longstanding ITV News Central newsreader, Bob Warman is set to present his final show tonight (July 4). It comes after the much loved presenter announced his retirement after almost 50 years on our screens.
The presenter became a familiar face to people across the region as he read the news of the West and East Midlands. Bob's first appearance as a news presenter was in 1973.
Birmingham Live reports that he joined regional broadcasting news in the days of ATV in April 973 which was Central's predecessor. It was the same year major news events happened including the end of the Vietnam war.
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Born in Walsall, Bob went to school in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, before he started his journalism career at the Walsall Observer and the Birmingham Post and Mail. Tonight's 6pm news will be Bob's final time presenting for the East and West Midlands.
This will be followed by a special on ITV tonight at 10:45pm - "Bob Warman: Mr Midlands" - which looks back at Bob's record-breaking career, and features celebrities sharing their highlights of meeting and working with him.
On his retirement, Bob aged 75 said: "By any measure it's been a long stint in front of the camera and I will miss my colleagues and the hundreds of thousands of viewers who’ve remained loyal to ITV News over the years.
"It's difficult to know when to call it a day, especially when I do a job I love with colleagues who are special to me. But time is running [out] and I have many interests which I want to pursue."
Bob has had a stellar career in journalism. In June, it was announced he would be awarded an MBE for his services to broadcasting. Just some of his other achievements include being a recipient of the Baird Medal, The Royal Television Society’s highest honour, in recognition of ‘his outstanding contribution to the Midlands television community’.
Bob originally joined ATV as a reporter before moving to Yorkshire Television in 1976, when he was chosen to front the regional programme for ITV News Calendar with the late Richard Whiteley. The following year, Bob co-presented the very first breakfast television programme, a three month pilot which led to the establishment of TV-AM.
But Bob, who was born in Walsall, returned to ATV in 1978 to present the evening programme. He has been a nightly feature ever since.
Bob published a special message to viewers on the ITV website : "Since I announced I was leaving three months ago, I’ve received hundreds of emails and letters wishing me well for the future, and thanking me for being ‘part of the household’ for so many years. Now it’s my turn to show gratitude."
Adding: "I’ve been so lucky to be in a job which is more a paid hobby, never having to face the Monday morning blues and welcoming every day with a varied agenda." News of his final show tonight has united news titans and fans across the country.
Stuart Thomas, head of BBC Midlands tweeted: "Bob Warman is truly a TV legend in the Midlands - starting at ATV in 1973. From all of us on “the other side” - congratulations on an extraordinary career, and have a wonderful retirement."
Former co-presenter and now Midlands correspondent at Sky News Becky Johnson wrote: "Bob Warman - what a total legend! It was an honour to work with him. From the first show I ever presented he put me at my ease and taught me so much about live broadcasting. Happy retirement Bob!"
Peter Bearne, ITV News education correspondent said: "Goodbye to a Midlands legend! It’s @WarmanBob ’s last day with ITV Central - catch his final programme at 6pm tonight. Congratulations on a truly remarkable career, Bob, and Happy Retirement!"
Bob's replacement will be ITV News' Steve Clamp. Watch Bob's final farewell on ITV Central news tonight at 6pm, and "Bob Warman: Mr Midlands" at 10:45pm.
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