Kay Burley, 63, retiring from Sky News after 36 years – and is leaving today
She made the announcement live on her final ever show.
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Previous Page Next PageKay Burley is retiring from Sky News after 36 years, she has announced on her final ever show.
The British broadcaster, 63, was part of the team that launched Sky News in 1989, and she went on to win the broadcaster a Bafta for her coverage of 9/11.
In total, Kay spent over one million minutes on air – more than any broadcaster in the world, she said in the announcement.
Bowing out of her final ever Sky News Breakfast programme, she said: ‘From a standing start to one of the most recognised and valued brands in global news, it’s been an honour and 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.
Kay Burley has been at Sky News for 36 years (Picture: Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock)‘But after over a million minutes of live TV news – more than anyone else in the world – it’s 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 – let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news!
‘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.’
Kay has helmed the 6am to 10am slot for five years, having joined the show in 2019.
She was part of the original Sky News team when it was set up in 1989 (Picture: Sky News)In December Kay denied rumours that she would be stepping down from the Sky News breakfast show.
Explaining she was going on holiday to The Seychelles, Kay told MailOnline: ‘I don’t know where that comes from, but neither of them are true.
‘I am off on the 19th [as] planned and then I am back on January 16.’
She added when asked about reports in the trade press about her supposedly leaving the breakfast programme: ‘Not that I’m aware of, unless you are telling me something new.’
Events covered by Kay Burley in her 36-year career 1997: the Death of Princess Diana. ‘Diana Princess of Wales is dead,’ she confirmed on air in the early hours of August 31. 2000: Concorde crash. Kay reported on the disaster, which saw Air France Flight 4590 crash into a hotel and burst into flames shortly after take off. All 109 people on board died. 2001: 9/11. Kay broke the first UK news. ‘Now some very, very sketchy details reaching us here at Sky centre,’ she began. ‘Important enough to bring to you though at this early stage. We believe that a plane has crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. That happened in the last few moments.’ 2004: Boxing Day Tsunami. Kay covered the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami from Sri Lanka. Writing on social media after, she said: ‘Probably one of the most tragic natural disasters I have covered.’David Rhodes, Sky News Executive Chairman, shared a note with staff following the news of Kay’s retirement 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.
Kay covered events including 9/11 and the Concorde air disaster (Picture: Sky News)‘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.’
‘Kay covered 12 UK elections, leading our presentation of the most recent vote last summer. There have been numerous Royal occasions and some of the most significant stories of our times – most notably the death of Diana, Princess of Wales… and the 9/11 terror attacks.
‘With millions of minutes presenting live rolling news, Kay’s legacy in television journalism is unmatched, as is her commitment to Sky’s legacy. And 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.
‘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.’
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