Second loss for Women’s Hour as Garvey announces she is leaving
BROADCASTER JANE Garvey is quitting Woman’s Hour, announcing her departure weeks after Dame Jenni Murray said she was leaving the show.
Garvey will leave at the end of the year and will host her own interview series on BBC Radio 4 in 2021. She has presented Woman’s Hour for 13 years.
The broadcaster said: “It’s been a real privilege to play a small part in the history of this very special radio programme.
“On one unforgettable day, I interviewed David Cameron in the morning, and Mary J Blige in the afternoon. There’s no other job like it.
“But famous people are not the reason people engage with Woman’s Hour. It’s because the programme still talks about the subjects and challenges no- one else goes near. I’m very proud of our relationship with the audience and the trust they place in us.”
The BBC said Garvey will be “presenting her own interview series, as well as becoming a regular
late- night fixture, along with Fi Glover”, with their Fortunately podcast arriving on the Radio 4 schedule.
Barnsley- born Dame Jenni announced at the end of July that she was leaving the Radio 4 show after more than three decades. Her last programme will be on October 1.
The 70- year- old is the longestserving presenter in the show’s 74- year history.
The BBC said new presenters will be announced in due course, and confirmed that the vacancies will be filled with two new presenters.
Garvey is believed to have decided to leave before Dame Jenni announced her departure.
The broadcaster, the first voice on Radio 5 Live when it was launched in 1994, revealed the news to her listeners yesterday morning.
She said: “Is there anything worse than a personal statement from a radio presenter? No, not really, but I’m afraid you are about to hear one.
“I have loved presenting Woman’s Hour, it has been a tremendous privilege, but I have decided to leave the programme at the end of the year.”
Mohit Bakaya, the controller of Radio 4, paid tribute to Garvey’s tenure on Woman’s Hour, and said: “When it comes to the art of radio presenting there are few that can match the brilliance of Jane Garvey.”