Moira Stuart leaves BBC for Classic FM presenting role

Moira Stuart, the first African-Caribbean woman to read the news on British television, is to leave the BBC for a presenting role at Classic FM.

After nearly five decades at the BBC, Stuart, 69, will read the news on Classic FM’s breakfast show from February, and from July she will also present her own Saturday afternoon programme, Moira Stuart’s Hall of Fame Concert.

Stuart is the latest prominent broadcaster to leave the BBC, following Chris Evans and Simon Mayo. It is understood that the BBC did not want her to leave. The Guardian was told that her departure was unconnected to those of Evans and Mayo but that it seemed to fit a pattern of managers taking long-term staff for granted.

Classic FM said in a statement: “Stuart’s programme will include legendary recordings of best-loved works from the classical music canon: from archive performances of the ‘greats’ to the living legends who represent the vibrant classical music scene today.”

Stuart said: “I couldn’t be more excited and delighted to be joining the Classic FM family. It’s a wonderful opportunity to take a whole new journey, with people I really like and admire.”

Stuart appeared regularly on television news bulletins between 1981 and 2007 but was sidelined by the BBC in recent years. She left the corporation after losing her regular television slot but was enticed back by Chris Evans in 2010 when he recruited her to read bulletins on his Radio 2 breakfast show. Her last breakfast show appearance was on Friday.

She began her BBC career in the 1970s as a radio production assistant. Since ceasing regular news bulletins in 2007, her presenting roles have included Radio 2’s Best of Jazz and a guest slot on Have I Got News for You.

Stuart joins the likes of Alexander Armstrong, Myleene Klass, Bill Turnbull, Alan Titchmarsh and Charlotte Hawkins at Classic FM.

Sam Jackson, the managing editor of the station, said: “Moira is a broadcasting legend and is known to millions of people on television and radio, so I am thrilled that she has chosen Classic FM as her new home.

“Her passion for classical music and decades of experience make her the perfect addition to our 2019 lineup. From her morning news bulletins to her new weekend show – and with another new series to follow – I know that our 5.2 million weekly listeners will join me in welcoming her to Classic FM next year.”

The BBC has been approached for comment.