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Veteran broadcaster Jon Snow has bid farewell to viewers and said presenting Channel 4 News for 32 years has been ‘the greatest privilege’ of his life.
The 74-year-old journalist, the longest-serving presenter in the programme’s history, is stepping back from the show after 32 years at the helm.
He will continue to work with Channel 4 on long-form projects and spend more time focusing on his charitable work.
After a 15-minute segment that concluded tonight’s programme, he finished the programme by saying: ‘I am nothing in this studio without the significant technical and journalistic teams that night after night ensure that Channel 4 news comes to you.
‘The joy of working here is those teams and their skills – technicians and journalists – and thanks to the far-sighted government, regulators, that have given us an hour of independent news in prime time.
‘Thank you to all of the people who have trusted me with their stories all over the world too, often in appalling circumstances, but most of all, I am so grateful to you at home – yes you, sitting there.
‘It’s not always an easy watch. We don’t always get away with it and we don’t always get it right.
But your hunger to know more about the world, to hear different voices, to get closer to the truth, it’s been the greatest privilege of my life to bring you the news. Thank you. Stay safe. That’s Channel 4 news. Good evening.’
The camera then followed Jon as he walked through the Channel 4 studios to applause, cheers and confetti before it closed with a montage of some of his greatest moments.
The Channel 4 team also paid tribute to Jon in the credits, listing him as Voice, Mentor, Leader, Inspiration, Driving Force, Moral Compass and Friend.
It ended with a message that read: ‘We’re all so happy and proud to have worked with you Jon, we stand on your shoulders, thank you.’
Jon Snow has bid farewell to viewers and said presenting Channel 4 News for 32 years has been ‘the greatest privilege’ of his life. Pictured: Jon says goodbye on tonight’s programme
Colleagues paid tribute to Jon Snow ahead of his final Channel 4 News programme tonight
Ahead of Jon Snow’s final show on Thursday evening, Channel 4 News communications director Hayley Barlow shared a photo on Twitter of Snow looking out across the newsroom.
She wrote: ‘Going to be an emotional day, our last shift working together, before the Channel 4 News lights dim at 8pm.’
Former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan made reference to Snow’s fondness of colourful ties.
He tweeted: ‘Farewell Snowy @jonsnowC4 after 32 years at Channel 4 News.
‘You’ve been a consistently brilliant news broadcaster, and aside from the ludicrous ties, and dodgy helmets, a lot of fun too. Congrats on a great run – I’ll miss you!’
Channel 4 News correspondent Ciaran Jenkins shared a video of Snow performing a sea shanty that went viral on TikTok earlier this year.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘The legendary @jonsnowC4 presents @Channel4News for the last time tonight. A superb journalist, unique communicator and an inspiration to so many of us.’
The veteran news presenter is stepping back from the show after 32 years at the helm tonight
Jon Snow and his wife Precious Lunga at a lunch to celebrate his Bafta fellowship in May 2015
Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow is pictured reporting from Sri Lanka in January 2016
Jon Snow reporting for Channel 4 from the Tohoku Earthquake in Japan in March 2011
Jon Snow in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010, which he also covered for Channel 4 News
Jon Snow (left) is pictured as Margaret Thatcher arrives at No 10 Downing Street to take up office as prime minister following the Conservative victory in the general election in May 1979
Referencing the lyrics of the shanty, he added: ‘One day when the tonguing is done we’ll take our leave and go.’
‘We’ll miss you so much Jon.’
ITV News presenter Lucrezia Millarini described Snow as a ‘legend’.
She added: ‘Wow. A constant on-screen presence in my household growing up. Then I was lucky enough to work in the same building.’
Adam Fowler, a reporter at ITV Yorkshire, described Snow’s departure as the ‘end of an era’.
He added: ‘I’ve been a fan my entire career. Will be sorely missed.’
Snow’s career in journalism began at LBC in 1973 before he moved to ITN in 1976, where he served as Washington correspondent and diplomatic editor.
He then became the main presenter of Channel 4 News in 1989.
Channel 4 previously said Snow will now ‘focus on his charities and some of his many passions in life, people’s stories, inequality, Africa, Iran and the arts’.
His final programme airs from 7pm on Thursday.
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