HEARTBREAKING: BBC legend LEAVES channel after 29 years as presenter as he makes EMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT

A beloved BBC presenter has quit the broadcaster after 29 years following a wave of departures from the channel in recent weeks. On Wednesday (August 20), investigative journalist Tony Smith took to social media to announce that he was leaving the corporation as he candidly confessed that he “doesn’t know what’s next” for him in his career.

Other big names who have left the BBC for pastures new include the likes of radio presenters Jordan North, Clara Amfo and news presenter Mishal Husain. Now, the broadcaster has added his name to the list after nearly three days at the corporation.

Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – he announced that he was leaving BBC News to his loyal legion of fans online. He posted: “Heading off into the sunset. Some personal news.

“After 29 years, today is my last day at BBC News. It’s been amazing, but the offer of redundancy was too good to turn down – and it felt like a good time to try something new.” He added: “Not sure what comes next – watch this space.”

His followers flooded to the comments for the star as they mourned his withdrawal from the TV station, with one user writing: “Sorry to hear that, but I expect you will have fun on the other side!”

Another agreed: “All the very best Tony for whatever comes next” as a third chimed in with: “All the very best Tony, have a ball.” Tony began his career at the BBC as a journalist working for the news channel back in 1997.

He reported from countries across the world in the first 10 years at the broadcaster, including hot spots in Asia, Africa and The Americas.

Throughout his time as a journalist, he scooped up several awards, his first being for a story on racism in Northern Ireland where he took home the prestigious Home News Award from the Royal Television Society (RTS). He later won a second RTS award for a story on the death of teenager Molly Russell after viewing self-harm images online.

The TV presenter also covered huge global events such as Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic after he was promoted to Senior Broadcast Journalist in 2010.

The star has also accompanies the Prime Minister around the world on trips to Europe, the USA and China. Recent reporting has seen him travel to the Ukraine and the Middle East to cover the ongoing conflict overseas.