BBC Morning Live's Gethin Jones shares heartfelt message as star quits role after two years

BBC star Gethin Jones took to Instagram with a heartfelt message as he bid a fond farewell to assistant producer Lorna Phillips. He shared Lorna's group snap alongside Michelle Ackerley, Janette Manrara, and Matt Allwright, with her writing: "Thanks to this lovely bunch for making my last show and the last two years such a fun ride!

Gethin also made a poignant note on Lorna's departure: "Losing one of the very best, for now, hopefully!" Gethin began presenting the BBC One five-mornings-a-week magazine show Morning Live in 2020, which is broadcast from studios in Manchester.

He previously worked as a Blue Peter presenter, joining the show in 2005. He announced he was leaving in 2008, with his spokeswoman saying he had always planned to leave when he turned 30.

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Jones said at the time: "I've had a career on Blue Peter that you wouldn't even dream about and for that I feel privileged and fortunate... I've loved it, lived it... and now I feel the time is right to leave it."

Gethin began his television career on Welsh language channel S4C as a presenter of children's programmes such as Popty, Mas Draw and the flagship children's entertainment show Uned 5. But before his TV career he had worked as a bank clerk, a telephone hotline officer and as a research assistant.

He also spent a few months working as a builder laying house foundations. Gethin was previously engaged to singer Katherine Jenkins.

They became romantically involved in 2007. It was reported they met after Jenkins sang "Time to Say Goodbye" with Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli on an episode of Strictly Come Dancing.

Jenkins's spokesman at the time said: "They're old friends and they've been on several dates. But people shouldn't consider buying hats just yet." In February 2011, Jones and Jenkins announced their engagement.

But just a few months later in December of the same year they both revealed they had called it off and were going their separate ways.