Long-serving regional TV presenter retires

BBC bosses described Sally Taylor as a "talented broadcaster and brilliant journalist"

BBC news presenter and journalist Sally Taylor has announced she will leave the regional news programme she has hosted for almost four decades.

Taylor joined South Today in 1987 having previously worked at Spotlight, the regional news programme for the south west of England.

It is believed she is the longest-serving female presenter of a flagship regional television news programme.

She will present her last programme on 20 March.

During her career, she has covered 10 general elections, reported from Bosnia at the end of the war with military medics, and broadcast live from Antarctica after travelling there on HMS Endurance.

She also presented BBC Radio Solent's daily, mid-morning show and a Saturday morning show for the station.

Sally Taylor has covered 10 General Elections during her career

In 2005, Taylor was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to regional broadcasting.

Ten years later she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Winchester in recognition of her work in broadcasting and with local charities.

Jason Horton, director of production for BBC Local, said: "Her class in the studio or on location, her sheer hard work in preparing for the programme, and her eye for the stories that really connect with the South Today audience, is unrivalled.

"Sally has always wanted more for the viewer and encouraged us all on that mission, whether we were reporters or producers, editors or senior leaders.

"She has also mentored countless colleagues, supporting the next generation of journalists and broadcasters."

Sally Taylor said presenting a regional news programme was "one of the best jobs in television"

Peter Cook, senior head of content production for BBC South, said: "Sally is a broadcasting legend.

"She's had an incredible career at the BBC and earned the respect and affection of our viewers who have trusted her to tell them what's happening and why.

"She's a talented broadcaster, a brilliant journalist, and a great colleague."

Reflecting on her decision to retire, Taylor said: "I fell into television 40 years ago and never thought I'd still be doing it today, but the time has come to hand over the reins to someone else who I hope will cherish the job as much as I have.

"Being the presenter of a daily 6:30pm BBC regional programme is one of the best jobs in television.

"South Today has given me opportunities that would never have been possible anywhere else and I'm so grateful for that.

"At the heart of everything we do is the relationship with our audience, I feel very honoured that they have shared and trusted me to tell their stories. It's been wonderful."