I am keen to get my own voice back, says Marr as he quits BBC
ANDREW Marr is leaving the BBC after 21 years – saying he is “keen to get my own voice back”.
The veteran journalist, 62, will host an “opinion-led programme” on radio station LBC, a new show on Classic FM and write for newspapers.
He said LBC offered him “freedom” to do “fast-paced, very regular political journalism on LBC with no filter”.
On Twitter yesterday he wrote: “Personal announcement. After 21 years I have decided to move on from the BBC. I leave behind many happy memories and wonderful colleagues.
“But from the New Year I am moving to Global [LBC and Classic FM’s parent company] to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers.
“I think British politics and public life are going to go through an even more turbulent decade and, as I’ve said, I am keen to get my own voice back.
Renowned
“I have been doing the Andrew Marr Show every Sunday morning for 16 years now and that is probably more than enough time for anybody!”
Marr was born in Glasgow and began his journalistic career at The Scotsman newspaper. In 1984 he moved to London where he worked as a parliamentary correspondent for the paper.
He joined The Independent in 1986 and became its editor in 1996, where he oversaw radical changes in its format.
He left in early 1998 and took roles at different papers before arriving at the BBC in May 2000.
From 2005 he had his own Sunday morning show and was renowned for hard-hitting interviews. He also suffered a stroke and kidney cancer and recovered from both.
In another statement yesterday, he said: “Coming to Global gives me a new freedom – to do fast-paced, very regular political journalism on LBC with no filter, in entirely my own voice.
“On Classic FM, I’ll be exploring my love of classical music, and culture generally, with some surprising guests.
“I feel I’m joining a young, hungrily ambitious and exciting company and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie said Marr had been a “brilliant journalist and presenter” at the BBC.
He added: “He leaves an unmatched legacy of outstanding political interviews and landmark programmes. We wish him well for the next chapter.”
Ashley Tabor-King, executive president of Global, said: “Andrew is one of the finest and most respected broadcasters and journalists of our time and we are honoured to welcome him here.”