Emma Barnett reveals she is quitting BBC Newsnight after three years to focus on Woman’s Hour and ‘other projects’
- Broadcaster, 36, says she’s had an ‘absolute blast’ while working at Newsnight
- Shared the news on Twitter and praised the team behind current affairs show
- She took over Woman’s Hour after Jane Garvey and Dame Jenni Murray quit
Emma Barnett announced today that she is leaving her presenting role at BBC Newsnight after three years to focus on other projects and Woman’s Hour.
The broadcaster shared the news on Twitter and praised the team behind the BBC Two current affairs show, saying she had an ‘absolute blast’ while working there.
Barnett, 36, took over the hosting duties of Woman’s Hour in January 2021 after Jane Garvey and Dame Jenni Murray both decided to quit the BBC Radio 4 show.
Tweeting a photo of her at the Newsnight studio, she said: ‘After three very enjoyable years presenting Newsnight, I have made the decision to leave the programme.
Emma Barnett announced today that she is leaving her presenting role at BBC Newsnight
The broadcaster shared two photos on Twitter today of her presenting on BBC Newsnight
‘This is in part due to my role fronting Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, which I’m thrilled to say is reaching more listeners than ever, and I have many more plans for.
‘It is also because there are other projects in the pipeline to which I wish to dedicate more attention.
‘The biggest thanks go to my editors, the endlessly energetic team, my guests, and of course, our viewers. It’s been an absolute blast.’
The broadcaster also shared a video clip from her last show on Monday evening where she interviewed Conservative MP Paul Scully.
Barnett posted a thread of tweets including a video clip from her last show on Monday night
It followed civil servant Sue Gray publishing her abbreviated report on the ‘Partygate’ scandal involving lockdown gatherings at 10 Downing Street.
Barnett joined Newsnight in 2019 at the same time Emily Maitlis was named as the new lead presenter of the show.
She previously presented on BBC Radio 5 Live but left the show after four years for Woman’s Hour.
In her first week at the Radio 4 show, actress Kelechi Okafor stormed off just two minutes before airtime after claiming she overheard the presenter discussing whether she had made anti-Semitic remarks.
Emma Barnett on her first day hosting Woman’s Hour on Radio 4, on January 4 last year
Barnett defended herself, saying she stood by her questions to her team and Miss Okafor.
The broadcaster has also written a column for the i newspaper and wrote a book called ‘Period. It’s About Bloody Time’ about menstruation.
Manchester-born Barnett, who now lives in London with her husband and son, has also presented The Andrew Marr Show, Politics Live and Sunday Morning Live.
Barnett grew up in an Orthodox Jewish family but is not observant. She was the target of anti-Semitic abuse from some Jeremy Corbyn supporters in 2017.