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Sky News’ popular anchor Bob Friend to retire
- Veteran presenter bows out after fifty years in journalism
Sky News’ long-serving presenter Bob Friend today (Monday 20 October, 2003) announced he is to retire from presenting.
One of Britain’s best-loved presenters, Bob celebrated his 50th year in journalism in 2003, a year which also saw him receive an MBE for services to broadcasting.
Bob’s final shift on air is on Thursday 23 October. He will partner Vivien Creegor for the last time from 8pm until midnight. Bob collects his MBE on 29 October 2003.
Bob joined Sky News in 1989 and has seen the channel grow in strength to win a number of industry accolades and growing its reputation to become the UK’s most successful 24-hour news channels. With his regular on-screen partner, Anna Botting, the two became one of tv’s most popular news duos.
Despite leaving school with no qualifications at the age of 15 in 1953, Bob quickly established himself in the world of journalism. He began his career as a reporter on the Tunbridge Wells based Kent & Sussex Courier before freelancing for the following nine years for national newspapers.
In 1969 Bob began a career that spanned two decades with the BBC. He joined Radio 4’s Today programme and reported from Northern Ireland for four years, witnessing the resurgence of sectarian violence at the start of the Troubles.
After spending a short spell in Vietnam, he was posted to Australia in 1973 to become the Corporation’s first correspondent there. Four years later, Bob moved to Japan as the BBC’s Tokyo correspondent and, after five years, he was appointed BBC’s Breakfast Time’s New York correspondent.
He has also had cameo roles as a newscaster in Independence Day, Mission:Impossible and in film thriller Quicksand with Michael Caine. At the beginning of 1998, Bob won a presenter’s award at the New York Journalism Awards.
Commenting on his retirement, Bob said: “Journalists never actually retire and after visiting some of the places I've worked in over the years, I'll settle down to some writing and, hopefully, more broadcasting. Movie Moguls have been strangely quiet! It's been a great half-century-- local newspapers, BBC radio, foreign correspondent and then fourteen years with Sky News. Our critics said there would be no appetite for round the clock news -- how wrong they were! I'll miss the people and the buzz of seat of the pants live broadcasting. But a half century in regular employment is probably enough!”
Numerous industry figures paid tribute to Bob:
Nick Pollard, head of Sky News, said: “Bob is a true gent – one of the old school of journalists. With half a century in journalism his expertise and breadth of experience will be sorely missed.”
Mark Thompson, chief executive of Channel 4 – and formally Bob’s BBC Breakfast Time producer in New York, said: "Bob is an exceptional journalist whose many years as an outstanding correspondent in the field gave him a natural authority as a Sky anchor."
Stephen Claypole, former head of newsgathering at the BBC when Bob was a correspondent, as well as the former managing director of APTN, said: “He was certainly in my view one the best reporters of his generation: utterly tenacious. Then he became a presenter who had an unusual understanding of the audience – they always identified with him. He really engaged with the viewer and had a great presence. He was an excellent broadcaster, with a tremendous voice and great on screen charisma.”
Ron Neil, former chief executive of BBC production who was the launch editor of Breakfast Television for the BBC, where Bob was a correspondent, said: "In a world of reporters where half are not on solid foods, Bob Friend was unique in that he brought a warmth and maturity and breadth to every story he broadcast - all with a twinkle in his eye."
Issued: Monday, October 20, 2003
Note to Editors:
For further information please contact Sky News Publicity: Justine Bower 020 7800 4341 Stella Tooth 020 7800 4289 For photography of Bob Friend please contact Sky’s Stills Department: 020 7800 4202
Sky News’ popular anchor Bob Friend to retire
- Veteran presenter bows out after fifty years in journalism
Sky News’ long-serving presenter Bob Friend today (Monday 20 October, 2003) announced he is to retire from presenting.
One of Britain’s best-loved presenters, Bob celebrated his 50th year in journalism in 2003, a year which also saw him receive an MBE for services to broadcasting.
Bob’s final shift on air is on Thursday 23 October. He will partner Vivien Creegor for the last time from 8pm until midnight. Bob collects his MBE on 29 October 2003.
Bob joined Sky News in 1989 and has seen the channel grow in strength to win a number of industry accolades and growing its reputation to become the UK’s most successful 24-hour news channels. With his regular on-screen partner, Anna Botting, the two became one of tv’s most popular news duos.
Despite leaving school with no qualifications at the age of 15 in 1953, Bob quickly established himself in the world of journalism. He began his career as a reporter on the Tunbridge Wells based Kent & Sussex Courier before freelancing for the following nine years for national newspapers.
In 1969 Bob began a career that spanned two decades with the BBC. He joined Radio 4’s Today programme and reported from Northern Ireland for four years, witnessing the resurgence of sectarian violence at the start of the Troubles.
After spending a short spell in Vietnam, he was posted to Australia in 1973 to become the Corporation’s first correspondent there. Four years later, Bob moved to Japan as the BBC’s Tokyo correspondent and, after five years, he was appointed BBC’s Breakfast Time’s New York correspondent.
He has also had cameo roles as a newscaster in Independence Day, Mission:Impossible and in film thriller Quicksand with Michael Caine. At the beginning of 1998, Bob won a presenter’s award at the New York Journalism Awards.
Commenting on his retirement, Bob said: “Journalists never actually retire and after visiting some of the places I've worked in over the years, I'll settle down to some writing and, hopefully, more broadcasting. Movie Moguls have been strangely quiet! It's been a great half-century-- local newspapers, BBC radio, foreign correspondent and then fourteen years with Sky News. Our critics said there would be no appetite for round the clock news -- how wrong they were! I'll miss the people and the buzz of seat of the pants live broadcasting. But a half century in regular employment is probably enough!”
Numerous industry figures paid tribute to Bob:
Nick Pollard, head of Sky News, said: “Bob is a true gent – one of the old school of journalists. With half a century in journalism his expertise and breadth of experience will be sorely missed.”
Mark Thompson, chief executive of Channel 4 – and formally Bob’s BBC Breakfast Time producer in New York, said: "Bob is an exceptional journalist whose many years as an outstanding correspondent in the field gave him a natural authority as a Sky anchor."
Stephen Claypole, former head of newsgathering at the BBC when Bob was a correspondent, as well as the former managing director of APTN, said: “He was certainly in my view one the best reporters of his generation: utterly tenacious. Then he became a presenter who had an unusual understanding of the audience – they always identified with him. He really engaged with the viewer and had a great presence. He was an excellent broadcaster, with a tremendous voice and great on screen charisma.”
Ron Neil, former chief executive of BBC production who was the launch editor of Breakfast Television for the BBC, where Bob was a correspondent, said: "In a world of reporters where half are not on solid foods, Bob Friend was unique in that he brought a warmth and maturity and breadth to every story he broadcast - all with a twinkle in his eye."
Issued: Monday, October 20, 2003
Note to Editors:
For further information please contact Sky News Publicity: Justine Bower 020 7800 4341 Stella Tooth 020 7800 4289 For photography of Bob Friend please contact Sky’s Stills Department: 020 7800 4202
