Julia Hartley-Brewer quits Talk after 10 years as replacement confirmed
Julia Hartley-Brewer is leaving Talk after a decade, with her final show on November 19. Her replacement has already been named.
Broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer is leaving Talk after a decade at the station, with her final show scheduled for Thursday, November 19.
The 58-year-old journalist, who has become one of the station's best-known and most outspoken presenters, is stepping down from her regular mid-morning slot to concentrate on new projects.
Her departure marks the end of a 10-year run which has seen her cover some of the biggest and most divisive political stories of recent times, from Brexit and Donald Trump's election to the Covid pandemic and successive crises at Westminster.
Hartley-Brewer joined Talk in March 2016 and currently presents its mid-morning programme from Monday to Thursday.
News Broadcasting confirmed her departure on Thursday (November 12), saying she plans to pursue other journalistic work, including writing opinion columns for The Sun.
Who is replacing Julia Hartley-Brewer on Talk?
Alex Phillips, who currently presents on Talk from Friday to Sunday, will take over Hartley-Brewer's mid-morning programme.
Phillips described her predecessor as a "genuine broadcasting titan" and said taking over the programme was a "tremendous honour".
She added: "Talk has built a unique, vital space for open debate where common sense comes first, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to take the helm at the mid-morning show."
Phillips also promised to hold the Government and wider political establishment to account.
What has Julia Hartley-Brewer said about leaving?
Announcing her departure, Hartley-Brewer said: "Broadcasting on Talk over the past decade has been a privilege and a pleasure.
"I am incredibly proud of what we have created together over 10 wonderful years.
"It's been a rollercoaster ride of news since 2016, starting with Brexit and Trump, through Covid and lockdowns, as well as wars in Westminster and overseas, and I have loved every minute both on and off air."
She thanked colleagues and the production teams behind the scenes, reserving particular praise for her audience.
"Most of all I want to say a huge thank you to our army of loyal listeners and viewers who have tuned in every day to laugh, argue and cut through the spin with me," she said.
"Talk remains in brilliant hands with a phenomenal production team and I wish the station every success as it moves from strength to strength."
Scott Taunton, president of News Broadcasting, described Hartley-Brewer as an "integral part of Talk's DNA".
He said her "tenacity, sharp wit, and fearless journalistic instincts" had helped establish the station nationally.
Hartley-Brewer's final broadcast is due to air on November 19.