The BBC presenter Kirsty Wark has said “goodnight and good luck” to the BBC’s Newsnight after 30 years on the programme.
In her last show on Friday night, former colleagues and interviewees were invited to commemorate the career of the 67-year-old, who is the longest-serving Newsnight presenter. She joined the news and current affairs programme in 1993.
The Scottish actor Alan Cumming, the outgoing BBC Today presenter Martha Kearney, the former Newsnight journalist and podcast host Lewis Goodall and Newsnight’s political editor, Nicholas Watt joined Wark to talk about the US election and Joe Biden’s health and suitability for the Democratic nomination.
The focus soon turned to Wark. The impressionist Jan Ravens did her best imitation of the journalist before a montage of video clips were shown of her interviewing figures such as Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Elton John and George Michael, as well as footage of her covering some of the biggest news events of the last 30 years.
A host of former political leaders also sent in their congratulations. Tony Blair called Wark “tough but fair, and always exceptionally smart”. While Gordon Brown said she was a “pathbreaker in British journalism”.
Nicola Sturgeon said: “To say you’re a broadcasting titan … would be an understatement. I had a very, very first interview experience with you when I was just 17 or 18 years old. I was in awe of you then and it’s fair to say that hasn’t really changed.”
David Cameron said Wark “questioned us, quizzed us, held us to account – and often terrified us”. The former prime minister reminded Wark that, as had been the case for him in Rishi Sunak’s government, “you can always retire after a long career and then make a comeback”.
In one clip, Wark’s fellow Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire paid tribute to “an incredibly journalist, an amazing woman … and also a complete laugh. We are going to miss you.”
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Wark ended the programme on Friday saying: “Thank you very much. Well, I mean, that’s all for me. It has been an honour and a blast. Thank you to all my wonderful colleagues, equally wonderful viewers. Keep on switching on, Victoria [Derbyshire] is back on Monday. Until then, good night, and good luck.”