Major broadcast change with BBC legend to retire after nearly 50 YEARS following 2024 Paris Olympics

BBC Sport legend Rob Bonnet will retire this summer, it has been announced.

Bonnet is calling time on his career after nearly 50 years of working with the Beeb.

He first joined the BBC back in 1977 and has been a familiar face on both TV and radio working on sport for the majority of his time with the broadcaster.

The 71-year-old will retire following his work at the 2024 Paris Olympic games.

On his retirement, Bonnet said: "I shall look back with great affection for my time at the BBC which has allowed me to cover many important stories, meet countless outstanding sportsmen and women, form many friendships and visit numerous events all over the world.

"I have been proud to work for the world’s leading public service broadcaster and on Today, where I have been very happy in an office which has a special camaraderie as well as being the most influential and skilfully produced and presented radio news programme on the BBC.”

His first work for the BBC came in 1975 on a student show called "Contact" in Brighton, before he officially moved into the broadcaster in 1977 as a station assistant.

Bonnet's sport career began in 1980 when he worked for Radio Norfolk before moving to London in 1982 to work on Radio 1.

He returned to Norfolk in 1985 for his first TV role presenting sport before becoming a TV sports correspondent in 1987 at the London Television Centre.

His work there saw him win an RTS award on behalf of the Nine O’Clock News for coverage of the IOC’s awarding of the 2000 Olympic Games to Sydney.

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In 1995, Bonnet had also taken up a role as a sports presenter on BBC breakfast and even hosted "Extra Time" before moving to the Today programme in 2007.

Major events he has covered include football and rugby world cups, the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, England cricket tours of both England and New Zealand and Mike Tyson vs Frank Bruno in 1989.

On his departure, BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: "Rob has been one of the voices of sport on the BBC for decades.

"From BBC Breakfast, coverage of World Cups and the Olympics, and more recently the Today programme, he has been a mainstay for our audiences and it is fitting that he will finish with this year’s Olympic Games and another wonderful summer of sport.

"Rob is a presenter and broadcaster held in the highest regard across the BBC and the sporting world. We wish him all the best for his retirement and for the future."