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David Dimbleby to leave Question Time after 25 years: Presenter, 79, plans return to 'first love' reporting

David Dimbleby is to leave Question Time at the end of the year: Getty Images
David Dimbleby is to leave Question Time at the end of the year: Getty Images

David Dimbleby is to step down from the BBC's Question Time after 25 years on the political programme.

The presenter, who will leave the show at the end of the year, said he planned "to return to my first love: reporting".

The 79-year-old, who has chaired the show since 1994, said it was "the right moment to leave".

His final broadcast of Question Time will be on December 13 this year.

But he stressed he is "not giving up broadcasting" as he thanked the team at the show.

David Dimbleby is to step down as chair of the BBC's flagship political programme (BBC)
David Dimbleby is to step down as chair of the BBC's flagship political programme (BBC)

Dimbleby started broadcasting for the BBC more than 57 years ago as a news reporter in Bristol.

During his BBC career he has presented political programmes such as Panorama and chaired many debates including the Party Leaders’ debates in the run up to General Elections since 2010.

Paying tribute to his stewardship of the programme, Director General, Tony Hall said he ensured Question Time has stayed "a must watch for those interested in politics and current affairs".

Dimbleby said: “At the end of the year I will have been chairing Question Time for a quarter of a century and I have decided that this is the right moment to leave.

"It has been a privilege to work for a programme which brings voters face to face with those in power. I am grateful to the production teams and to the BBC who have made this possible.

"It has been exhilarating following the twists and turns of British politics from John Major in 1994, through the Blair and Brown years to Cameron and May.

"I am not giving up broadcasting. Instead, after years in the studio, I now plan to return to my first love: reporting.”

Mr Hall said: “David has been at the helm of Question Time for over 25 years: a brilliant champion of the public and the audiences’ friend - getting the answers they want on the big and difficult issues of the day.

"Always a commanding figure, David has ensured Question Time has not only stayed relevant through the years, but a must watch for those interested in politics and current affairs.

“David may be stepping down from Question Time, but he isn’t stepping down from broadcasting. He is a titan in British broadcasting.

"The BBC and the public are extraordinarily lucky to have him in what are - to say the least - interesting times politically and socially. We look forward to working with him on other projects in the future.”