Newsreader Joanna Gosling confirms that she is quitting the BBC

Joanna Gosling has confirmed she is leaving BBC News following rumours that she was asked to do a "humiliating" audition to keep her job.

The news reader officially confirmed she will be stepping down from her position as presenter in a Tweet on Friday.

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. Now it is time for new beginnings."

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. Now it is time for new beginnings.

— Joanna Gosling (@BBCJoannaG) January 13, 2023

Gosling joins colleagues David Eades and Tim Willcox in quitting the station amid the broadcaster’s plans to merge BBC News and BBC World News channels, according to reports.

The three are said to have resigned after the channel reportedly asked them to participate in "humiliating" auditions to keep their jobs.

Hosts have been asked to undergo a studio-based “practical test” lasting 40 minutes, according to the i newspaper. Those who fail to impress face being sacked.

Presenters, including Huw Edwards, Fiona Bruce and Clive Myrie are believed to have been spared having to re-apply.

They are said to have all taken voluntary redundancies, according to The Mirror.

Gosling has been a BBC presenter for 23 years (BBC)

While Gosling, 51, who has been a BBC presenter for 23 years, will stop filming at the end of the month, Eades has already presented his final show.

Willcox’s final is yet to be confirmed.

Gosling’s announcement follows reports that more than 12 presenters could lose their jobs as there will be just five presenting positions on the BBC News Channel.

The merge and rebranding means that, from the spring, there will be no dedicated domestic news service for UK viewers.

The BBC is expected to save more than £1 million a year by cutting its presenters.