Kirsty Wark to step down from presenting BBC Newsnight

She has currently presented on the nightly current affairs show for exactly 30 years today (Tuesday, October 19).

Wark is the longest-serving presenter on the programme and has interviewed many prominent politicians and cultural figures in her time.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), the BBC News Press Team shared: “Kirsty Wark will step down as a lead presenter at @BBCNewsnight  after the next election.

“She has presented the programme for exactly 30 years today. Kirsty will continue to present for the BBC on a range of programmes. Thank you for 30 remarkable years!”

Kirsty Wark will step down as a lead presenter at @BBCNewsnight after the next election. She has presented the programme for exactly 30 years today.

Kirsty will continue to present for the BBC on a range of programmes.

Thank you for 30 remarkable years!https://t.co/lufFmxuCSr

— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) October 19, 2023

Kirsty Wark discusses stepping down from Newsnight

Wark revealed that leaving Newsnight would be “a massive wrench” but she would still be presenting on the BBC elsewhere.

On the BBC Media Centre page announcing the news she said: “Today I am celebrating 30 years presenting Newsnight.

“It is an enormous privilege to be involved in such a rigorous, creative programme with a wonderful, talented, bunch of colleagues – actually many bunches over the years, led, most recently by Esme Wren followed by Stewart Maclean.

“There’s not a day when I don’t look forward to coming to the office, and every day I learn something from the team about all manner of things, from aspects of American foreign policy to how to make a great mojito.

“Last year I spoke to both to the Director General Tim Davie and to Stewart and signalled my desire to end my three decade run on the show after the next election, and that’s the plan.

Here at Newsnight we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of @KirstyWark’s first programme as presenter, with a classy cake to mark the moment.

Working with Kirsty is an absolute joy – she’s one of the longest serving presenters in news and definitely one of the nicest pic.twitter.com/92fHYizITK

— Stewart Maclean (@stewartmaclean) October 19, 2023

“When the time comes it will be a massive wrench. However, I’ll be leaving Newsnight but not the BBC. I’ll still be presenting The Reunion and Start the Week on Radio 4, TV documentaries too as well as finishing, finally, my third novel. There are exciting times ahead.”

BBC Director-General, Tim Davie, says: “Generations of Newsnight viewers have benefitted from Kirsty’s authority, her razor-sharp insight and her journalistic flair. She sets the standard for engaging yet authoritative presenting. I speak on behalf of the whole BBC when I thank her for the past 30 years.

“I’m delighted the BBC is not losing Kirsty altogether when she steps back from Newsnight and look forward to seeing and hearing her beyond the busy political year ahead.”