Dominic Heale to leave East Midlands Today

Sally Taylor is the only presenter who is able to pull off the solo-headed format on South Today. Riz Lateef on BBC London also does it well, but she's more 'functional', while Sally has given ST character.

I've never been too keen on Anne Davies, but she's been presenting for years, so hope she can carry EMT on her own.

Dom isn't the only one. Mark Shardlow leaving as well https://twitter.com/MarkShardlow/status/1319352691504631808?s=20

Just seen a tweet by Kylie Pentelow it looks like Quentin Rayner is also departing EMT!

Tonight's EMT will be presented by both Anne and Dominic in the studio.

I wonder what the powers that be think of that one!

Confirmed by Quentin himself. Another sad loss for EMT. https://twitter.com/quentinrayner/status/1319670136505311234?s=20

Quentin's been our main continuity announcer for at least 20 years as well. Can't see them replacing his voice on the announcements, but it will be interesting to see if he comes back to record for any potential new presenters.

Dominic said:
'The BBC has decided that all regional news programmes will be fronted by one presenter, not two. We did 'rock, paper, scissors' and I lost. It was a bit more complicated... but I am off.'
'Typical BBC - they've made me put together my own 'best bits' montage'.
They also mentioned 3 reporters who are leaving too.
'I will treasure the memories I have of working in this region over the last 2 decades at the BBC and on Central News. It's been a labour of love.'

And viewers in the East Midlands got to see a TSW ident as well!

Great send off, although admittedly very bittersweet given the circumstances.

Certainly a smooth send off with a heartfelt ending. Great to see two presenters back in the studio too (albeit just for this) why couldn’t they have done that set up sooner?!

They allowed plenty of time for goodbyes too; nicely balanced. Look North appeared rushed at the end of Harry Grations last show... and saying goodbye to viewers holding a toilet roll seemed rather undignified! lol

Reaction from former BBC and ITV Central colleagues:

All the very best Dominic Heale (all the good uns start at Central News East!) @bbcemt @DominicHealeTV @AnneDaviesTV

— Anna Soubry (@Anna_Soubry) October 23, 2020

Good Luck Dom! A great friend and a fine broadcaster ❤️ Watch: Dominic Heale's best bits @DominicHealeTV @bbcemt #bbcnews #Nottingham #Derby #Leicester https://t.co/3v4jCuWo2r via @BBCNews

— Marie Ashby 💙 (@MarieAshby) October 23, 2020

Fantastic presenter. He’ll be sorely missed by viewers. Good luck from the other side @DominicHealeTV (as in the other channel, not the great beyond) https://t.co/AHjQBW0Kfi

— Matt Teale (@mattteale) October 19, 2020

I thought it was a terrible send off for Harry. A cold winter night in Barnsley in the dark.

It’s almost as if the news takes priority over a presenter leaving.