BBC News presenter breaks down in tears during last ever report after 40 years working for the broadcaster

BBC news presenter Louise Priest broke down in tears as she said her presented her final show today.

The veteran journalist, who is a familiar face to thousands of people across Norfolk, Cambridge, Suffolk and Essex confirmed her departure from BBC Look East earlier in the show. 

It comes after the 62-year-old admitted the impact of waking up at 4am to start work was the driving force behind her decision to quit.

She had spent almost 40 years at the broadcaster, starting at Look East in the 1990s, before making her way to lead presenter of the morning and lunchtime bulletins. 

‘Well, this is my last bulletin for Look East,’ she said in an emotional farewell to viewers. ‘I’d just like to say how much I’ve enjoyed bringing the news to you…’

The veteran journalist, 62, confirmed her departure from BBC Look East earlier in the show

BBC news presenter Louise Priest broke down in tears as she said her presented her final show today

She then wafted her hands in front of her face as she began to cry.

‘I wasn’t going to do this. Thank you for keeping me company over the years and don’t forget Look East is here at six thirty.

‘I have been so lucky to have a variety of jobs at the BBC it never occurred to me to leave but, after almost 40 years, I felt the time was right.

‘The impact of the 4am starts on my home life was the biggest factor.

‘I feel I have made the right decision to go, but I’m also slightly nervous about life after the BBC.’

She then put papers down on the desk as the credits tolled while she looked sad.

Regular viewers were shocked at the lack of fanfare. One wrote: ’40 years and… that’s it?’

‘Would of been nice if someone had walked on with some flowers to say thank you,’ said another.

Born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, Louise joined the BBC in September 1983, working in Birmingham and Manchester before getting a job at BBC Radio Norfolk.  

Louise is pictured in 1997 alongside former original breakfast host John Mountford 

Louise joined the BBC in September 1983, she worked in Birmingham and Manchester before getting a job at BBC Radio Norfolk. She is pictured on BBC Look East during the early days of her career

She had spent almost 40 years at the broadcaster, starting at Look East in the 1990s, before making her way to lead presenter of the morning and lunchtime bulletins.

Her first position, working for BBC Radio Guernsey was far cry to what she imagined her career would be when she was younger. 

‘I had a romantic notion about being a marine biologist for a while, but I wasn’t great at science so that was that,’ she told the BBC.

‘I almost went down the home economics teacher route but the thought of showing children how to make shortcrust pastry year after year just didn’t excite me enough.’

She joined BBC Radio Norfolk aged 23 – with the county later becoming her long-term home. 

Louise, who is married and has two children Clark and Grace, said it had been a ‘privilege meeting and interviewing people from all walks of life, from a prime minister to a pantomime dame’.

She added things had changed vastly during her 40-year career, from when she used to haul a ‘very large and heavy “mobile” phone’ and weighty recording equipment to now, where she carries just a smartphone.  

The veteran presenter, speaking before her departure, insisted she felt she had made ‘the right decision’ but admitted: ‘I’m also slightly nervous about life after the BBC.’ 

She added she had no plans beyond the BBC, but now might write a book. 

Louise added things had changed vastly during her 40-year career, from when she used to haul a ‘very large and heavy “mobile” phone’ and weighty recording equipment to now, where she carries just a smartphone (she is pictured during the mid-1980s at the BBC)

The veteran journalist, 62, confirmed her departure from BBC Look East earlier in the show

Louise’s exit comes just days after BBC Look East Presenter, Mike Liggins, announced he was stepping down after 35 years at the corporation.

The much-loved presenter, also known as ‘Liggo’, announced his departure on Twitter earlier today – his last day will be October 6.

In a message addressing his fans, he wrote: ‘After 35 years, I’ve decided to leave the BBC. 

‘Time for a change. But what an adventure! I feel very lucky. 

‘I’ll be on Look East till Oct 6th ..and after that I haven’t got a clue! For now, I just want to say thanks to all my colleagues and to you the viewer/follower. Mike x’ 

He also shared a side by side comparison of him at the begging of his career and now.

With a face and voice that’s recognised by the East of England and beyond, Mike made more than 6,000 reports for the show.

He started out as a sports reporter on Mercia Sound in Coventry in 1984. 

BBC Look East Presenter, Mike Liggins, is stepping down after 35 years

The much-loved presenter, also known as ‘Liggo’, announced his departure on Twitter earlier today – his last day will be October 6

Then he moved to ITV London Tonight, before joining the BBC in 1987 where he presented BBC Radio Norfolk’s Sunday Morning breakfast programme.

The pair of departures come during a challenging period for regional BBC staff.

In November BBC TV news station pulled their live programmes because they were ‘too upset to work’ following an announcement that employees would be made redundant.

Many of the broadcasting team at BBC Look East’s Cambridge office decided not to go ahead with its scheduled 6.30pm and 10.30pm programmes after receiving the news hours earlier.

Staff were told the final BBC Look East programme from the Cambridge office will be aired on December 16.

Viewers instead received broadcasts from Norwich, from where programmes are now permanently aired.

Cambridge BBC journalist Mousumi Bakshi tweeted at the time: ‘Team, we have decided not to broadcast tonight. For reasons detailed below. Please accept our sincere apologies.

‘We were split. We’re here to serve you and we love broadcasting live. 

‘But that’s not possible tonight. We’ll sup on the red bull and come back tomorrow, with wings on.’

The BBC has said it needs to save £285million in response to the announcement in January that the licence fee will be frozen for the next two years

One BBC employee, who did not want to be named, said: ‘Our young, talented and loyal tech team took the news the hardest. 

‘There were many tears, as colleagues and friends hugged and held hands as the news sank in that going forward there will be no technical roles at all based in the Cambridge building. 

‘Many others will have to re-apply for their own jobs and compete with colleagues. Staff took time to digest the news. We were walking around like zombies. We needed to talk, process what had happened. 

‘No one wanted to let our viewers down, but the decision was taken that it wouldn’t be fair on those whose posts are closing, to output the programme under such stressful and emotional conditions.’

The staff member added the ‘close-knit, hardworking team’ was ‘being ripped apart in the cruellest way possible’.

They continued: ‘We have fewer resources than almost any other regional news programme and yet we are the ones at risk of losing our jobs. 

‘We are like a family and have been there to support each other, but the next few weeks and months will be very difficult for us all. We are sad for our loyal audiences who we feel will be underserved and short-changed in the future. 

‘After five months and five days of worry, sleepless nights, financial uncertainty, not knowing if we have the money to pay the bills, this was yet another slap in the face and a disappointment for those who were hoping they had a future in the brave new ‘digital’ world. 

‘Some of us left wondering for all that time if we needed to move, pull our children out of school.’