Politics Live presenter Jo Coburn has announced she would be leaving the BBC after 28 years at the broadcaster as she shared a statement about her decision to quit

Politics Live presenter Jo Coburn is set to leave the BBC after 28 years. Having joined the daily show when it launched in 2008, Jo announced in an emotional statement that she’d be leaving at the end of May.

“What a privilege to have been in the hot seat of the Daily Politics and then Politics Live covering the tumultuous events of the last decade or so,” Jo, who has been working at the broadcaster since 1997 said.”It’s time to move on and hand over to someone else but I’ve loved it all, especially the people I’ve worked with and the hundreds of guests who’ve kept me company in the studio every day.”

Jo first joined the BBC in 1997 as a reporter covering Westminster, and quickly became one of the BBC Politics’ most senior presenters. As well as politics life, Jo has worked on and covered events for the Today programme, the Six and Ten bulletins and the BBC News Channel.

Jo announced her departure from the BBC after first joining the broadcaster in 1997

Before taking on her current role as lead presenter for Politics Live, she began presenting BBC Two’s Daily Politics full time with Andrew Neil in July 2011.

Speaking on Jo’s announcement, Executive Editor Politics Hilary O’Neil said: “Jo has shaped Politics Live into the programme it is today where viewers tune in knowing they’ll be expertly guided through the biggest political stories, whilst making them accessible and entertaining.”

She continued: “Jo is a forensic interviewer and engaging presenter who draws on her deep knowledge of politics to challenge ministers on the issues that matter most to the public. She will be greatly missed by both the audience and her colleagues.”

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Image:
Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Echoing the statement, and thanking Jo for her “immense contribution” to the broadcaster, Richard Burgess, Director of News Content, said: “I want to thank Jo for her immense contribution to our coverage, and on a career where she has been at the heart of political journalism for almost 30 years.

“Millions of viewers have benefited from Jo’s incisive interviewing and her ability to host intelligent discussion and debate from across the political spectrum. We wish her all the best for the future.”

Although it’s been announced Jo will be leaving in May, it is still unknown who will step into her role, with the BBC confirming that a new presenter will be announced in “due course”.

Politics Live airs for four days a week at 12.15pm on BBC Two in a 45 minute slot.

A longer version is broadcast on Wednesday’s in line with Prime Minister’s Questions.