BBC veteran John Humphrys is set to exit Radio 4’s Today Show after 32 years
JOHN Humphrys is set to exit Radio 4’s Today show after 32 years.
The Beeb veteran, 75, has hinted to chiefs he will leave in the autumn.
Yet he signed a new deal just five months ago that was expected to run until at least 2021.
John, yet to hand in his notice, said of his impending departure: “I’m assuming it will be this year.
“That’s what I’m assuming but I haven’t fixed a date.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he added: “It’s not easy to leave a job you’ve been doing for 32 years. It’s more than half my professional life.”
A senior Beeb source told The Sun: “John has been very open that at 75 he knows he won’t be able to carry on hosting Today for ever. But right now he is enjoying what he is doing.
“He has no immediate plans to walk away and hasn’t told those in charge he’s looking to leave.
However, he has a great relationship with those around him and would never pretend he plans to stay on indefinitely. It’s a case of being realistic.
“But as things stand there are no plans to replace him in his role. Everyone involved is very happy with the programme in its current form.”
John, who also hosts BBC2’s Mastermind, is the Corporation’s longest-serving presenter with a career spanning more than 55 years.
He faced demands to quit when he was embroiled in the Beeb’s 2017 gender pay gap row.
It emerged his deal of up to £650,000 was nearly 2½ times that of female co-presenter Mishal Husain’s £250,000. He later agreed to a hefty pay cut.
He plans a book on his time on the Radio 4 show in the Autumn this year. Leaving would give him freedom to promote it .
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]