Kay Burley reveals live on air she is quitting Sky News after 36 years
Staff were made aware of her plans immediately after she made the announcement on air - after Sky bosses decided it was appropriate for her to break the story herself.
Sky News broadcaster Kay Burley has announced she is retiring from the channel after 36 years.
The 64-year-old, who covered the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the September 11 attacks and the Boxing Day tsunami, made the shock announcement this morning after closing out what turned out to be her final Sky News Breakfast today.
She made the announcement at the end of the programme with no notice - looking back on a remarkable career at the forefront of news having been part of the team that launched Sky News in 1989.
Staff were made aware of her plans immediately after she made the announcement on air - after Sky bosses decided it was appropriate for her to break the story herself.Â
The presenter, reported to earn at least ÂŁ600,000 a year as of 2020, said shortly before 10am at the close of the show:Â Â 'Just before we end today's programme, a couple of moments to reflect on the past 36 years here at Sky News - our birthday today.
'It's been an honour and a privilege to work with some of the best and hardest-working teams in the business.
'News by its very nature is often devastating and together we've covered so many life-changing events - from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster.
'But we've also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven't we? The thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and days waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing,' she said with a knowing smile.
Kay Burley has unexpectedly revealed that she has presented her last Sky News Breakfast programme - and is retiring from the channel after 36 years
Her shock announcement was made at the end of the Sky News Breakfast programme this morning - watched by members of the team from the side of the stage
Burley pictured in 1997 alongside fellow presenters Laurie Mayer, Adam Boulton and Martin Stanford ahead of the General Election
She continued: 'But after over a million minutes of live TV news - more than anyone else in the world - its time for me to indulge in some of my other passions - including my love for travel.
'So, after covering 12 separate general elections - including Sir Keir Starmer's victory last year - I am retiring from Sky News.'
She joked: 'Let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news.'
Wrapping up the shock announcement, Kay added: 'Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can't tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades. You're awesome.
'I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch.'Â
As she finished speaking, she was applauded by members of the Sky News team, some of whom filmed her closing remarks from the side of the stage. Â
David Rhodes, Sky News Executive Chairman, shared a note with staff following the news Kay Burley will retire from Sky News after 36 years, as he confirmed today was her last day on air.
He said: 'Talking with Kay about her plans, we all felt it was more fitting that Kay break this story herself. She's done that now in her own words, and we'll be sharing the clip on social channels today.Â
'A founding member of Sky News, Kay helped build our proposition from its launch in 1989. She has been a constant presence on our screens over the course of our 36 years.'
He added: 'I'm sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won't face her indomitable questioning in the mornings.
'Kay confirmed that today was her final broadcast with Sky News. Of course, Breakfast continues - with the other current presenters and with our Friday-Sunday team.Â
'We thank Kay for her huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism. And we wish her the best of luck.'Â
Kay ended her final Sky News broadcast today with an intention to 'indulge in some of my other passions - including my love for travel', as shown by her Instagram pics (above)
Kay Burley (pictured right) was one of the channel's original presenters when it was launched by Rupert Murdoch in 1989
Kay Burley welcomed son Alexander Kutner, 31 in April 1993 (left). She quickly established herself as a dependable figure for Sky (pictured right in 2000)
Kay Burley, visible as a shock of red hair, outside Uxbridge Magistrates Court remonstrating with Associated Press photographer Kirsty Wigglesworth after reportedly being struck in the face by a camera during a media scrum for Naomi Campbell's court appearance
Kay Burley is seen speaking to Sir Keir Starmer at the 2023 Labour Party Conference. Sky News boss David Rhodes joked today: 'I'm sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won't face her indomitable questioning in the mornings'
Born in Wigan in 1960 to a working class family, Kay got her start as a cub reporter for the Wigan Evening Post and Chronicle before working for both the BBC and Tyne Tees Television and later TV-am before joining Sky in 1988.
She then joined the fledgling Sky News channel ahead of its 1989 launch, and has since become the face of the channel covering the world's biggest news stories.
She anchored late afternoon shows and became the channel's dependable figurehead for the coverage of major and developing stories - from terror attacks and natural disasters to royal births and weddings.
But her career was also sprinkled with controversy and accusations of insensitivity.
In 2008, she clashed with Associated Press photographer Kirsty Wigglesworth outside Uxbridge Magistrates Court after she was hit in the cheek by a camera.
Witnesses said the anchorwoman 'had her hands around the photographer's neck' in a 'really vicious' attack as they jostled for position in the media scrum for supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was appearing on assault charges.
She was further criticised in 2012 for revealing live on air to volunteers looking for missing girl April Jones that the Welsh youngster was likely dead.
The broadcaster also made popstar Peter Andre cry during a live interview by asking how he would feel if Katie Price's now ex-husband Alex Reid wanted to adopt his children.
Her question was prompted after Andre offered to adopt Harvey, the son Price had with footballer Dwight Yorke. The offer prompted anger from the ex-Aston Villa forward.Â
She later apologised to the Mysterious Girl singer - but was cleared of accusations of bullying by regulator Ofcom, which said her questioning had been 'persistent and probing' rather than 'intimidating'.
Burley has been accused of insensitivity at times in her decades-long career - from an on-air bust-up with Peter Andre to a tweet after the 2015 Paris terror attacks featuring a sad dog captioned 'sadness in his eyes' (above)
Kay Burley's fame as an anchorwoman brought other opportunities - including a spot in the second series of Dancing on Ice (left) and The Chase (right)
She later appeared on Celebrity Hunted for Stand Up To Cancer - having been affected by the disease all her life after it killed her mother and grandmother
Her sister Jacqueline was also diagnosed with cancer in recent years - but given the all-clear just last month as revealed by Kay on Instagram
Kay was also lampooned for a tweet in which she said a dog had 'sadness in his eyes' following the Paris terror attack in November 2015.
She was suspended from her flagship Kay Burley @Breakfast show at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic after it emerged she had broken Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in London.
She threw herself a 60th birthday party at her home in Knightsbridge, central London - in breach of rules that banned social gatherings.
Junior colleagues are alleged to have recruited a paparazzi photographer to snap pictures of her hugging presenter Beth Rigby - who also took time away - in order to leak the story to the media via an anonymous email address.
Outside of journalism, Kay has also written books: the largely panned erotic romance First Ladies and high-society thriller Betrayal.
Her fame as a broadcaster also led to her competing in ITV's celebrity skating show, Dancing On Ice, as well as Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted.Â
She donated her Dancing On Ice fee to MacMillan Cancer Care in memory of her mother Kath, who died of breast cancer in 1993. Her grandmother died of the same condition when Kath was 18.
Kay carries a gene making her particularly susceptible to developing cancer, and her younger sister, Jacqueline, was diagnosed with the disease in recent years.
Jacqueline was given the all-clear just last month, prompting a joyous Kay to write on Instagram: 'The best of news. My baby sister Jacqueline is cancer free.'
Kay Burley pictured in 2022 at an Action for Children charity event. The newsreader has been a perennial TV presence for over three decades
Kay Burley (pictured left) with her colleague Beth Rigby (right) outside Downing Street in 2019
Married twice - once to fellow reporter Steve Burley, then to former football agent Steve Kutner - she has one son, Alexander Kutner, 31, who was born in April 1993.Â
Tributes have been paid to Kay's career by other media giants and former colleagues.
Former BBC producer Sam McAlister, credited with securing the infamous Prince Andrew interview in 2019, called her 'an absolute icon... smart as hell, sharp as they come'.
Ex-Sky News journalist and broadcaster Adam Boulton wrote on X: 'There are no other women of her background who have had such an impact on British news and current affairs.'
Kay had denied reports she was planning to leave her breakfast show that emerged in December after taking over from Sunrise host Sarah-Jane Mee in 2019.
She told MailOnline then of the rumours she was leaving: 'Not that I'm aware of, unless you are telling me something new.'
Kendall Jenner has fans fawning over her "beautiful glow" and "glowing queen" status - but fans can achieve her natural glam glow without breaking the bank, thanks to this one product
Read more >> : Cick here
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
)
This sighting comes just a month after Emme was photographed holding hands with another teenager Â
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
&description=Jennifer Lopez's daughter, Emme Muñiz, spotted hugging alleged boyfriend This sighting comes just a month after Emme was photographed holding hands with another teenager  %23jenniferlopez) |
|
|
The star has had fans worries for his health.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
If you've been wondering what product Kendall Jenner swears by to get her natural-looking glow, you'll be pleased to hear it's not only available at a high-street store, but it's under ĂÂŁ15
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Horror movie star Devon Sawa revealed he was interested in doing movies that were similar in tone to this 1993 Tom Hanks classic.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Two more sexual assault suits have been filed against Sean "Diddy" Combs amid the rapperâs continued stay in jail.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Seal, known for hit songs like "Kiss from a Rose" and "Crazy," was the star of a Mountain Dew Super Bowl ad that was revealed exclusively on TODAY.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
âWill Smith, all he had to do was run out on that red carpet and slap Kanye.âĂ ù?? Jimmy Kimmel
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The Out There actor's wife was left 'shaking with rage' in 1993
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
On the set of a terrible movie that presented absolutely no dangers, Winona Ryder suffered for her art and ended up with a broken arm.
Read more >> : Cick here
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Twitter (X), Inc. was an American social media company based in San Francisco, California, which operated and was named for its flagship social media network prior to its rebrand as X. In addition to Twitter, the company previously operated the Vine short video app and Periscope livestreaming service
Twitter (X) is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 619 million monthly active users worldwide. One of the most exciting features of Twitter (X) is the ability to see what topics are trending in real-time. Twitter trends are a fascinating way to stay up to date on what people are talking about on the platform, and they can also be a valuable tool for businesses and individuals to stay relevant and informed. In this article, we will discuss Twitter (X) trends, how they work, and how you can use them to your advantage.
What are Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are a list of topics that are currently being talked about on the platform and also world. The topics on this list change in real-time and are based on the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be localized to a Worldwide country or region or can be global, depending on the topic's popularity.
How Do Twitter (X) Worldwide Trends Work?
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends are generated by an algorithm that analyzes the volume of tweets using a particular hashtag or keyword. When the algorithm detects a sudden increase in tweets using a specific hashtag or keyword, it considers that topic to be trending.
Once a topic is identified as trending, it is added to the list of Twitter (X) Worldwide trends. The topics on this list are ranked based on their popularity, with the most popular topics appearing at the top of the list.
Twitter (X) Worldwide trends can be filtered by location or category, allowing users to see what topics are trending in their area or in a particular industry. Additionally, users can click on a trending topic to see all of the tweets using that hashtag or keyword.