Tuesday, December 24, 2024

BBC News star quits job after 20 years on screen and declares ‘it’s time for a change’

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A BBC News star has quit their job after 20 years on screen and declared ‘it’s time for a change’.

Tulip Mazumdar had been employed by the BBC as their global health correspondent but she has now decided to quit the role. 

She confirmed her decision on Twitter in a post where she confessed what she was looking forward to spending more time with her family after a long career at the state broadcaster.

Alongside a photo of her two children at a farm, she wrote: ‘I will be leaving @BBCNews at the end of this week. 

‘I’ve had the most incredible two decades, but it’s time for a change, and to hang more with these two rascals…

Tulip Mazumdar had been employed by the BBC as their Global Health Correspondent but she has now decided to quit the role

She confirmed her decision on Twitter in a post where she confessed what she was looking forward to life with her children following a long career at the state broadcaster

She confirmed her decision on Twitter in a post where she confessed what she was looking forward to life with her children following a long career at the state broadcaster

The journalist began her BBC career 20 years ago as a presenter on BBC Radio Merseyside

The journalist began her BBC career 20 years ago as a presenter on BBC Radio Merseyside

Ms Mazumdar's exit from the BBC follows a slew of talent leaving the broadcaster in recent weeks

Ms Mazumdar’s exit from the BBC follows a slew of talent leaving the broadcaster in recent weeks

‘(The kids, not the horses) Thanks so much to everyone who trusted me to help share their, often very personal, stories. 

‘Together, I do think we’ve made a difference.’

She and her husband Karl share a daughter Liliana who was born in 2022, and a five-year-old son Rion.

A number of her journalism colleagues gave their best wishes on social media. 

Fellow BBC host Alan Kasujja added: ‘Best wishes Tulip. It was a pleasure working with you.’

The BBC’s Deputy Africa Editor, Anne Soy, said: ‘Oh, Tulip! How wonderful to have met and worked with you. Wishing you the very best in your next chapter.’ 

Ms Mazumdar’s career began at Liverpool University where she made news CDs for the student union bar.

She then joined BBC Radio Merseyside, followed by the news show on the corporation’s music station 1-Xtra.

From 2013 to 2024 Ms Mazumdar worked as the global health correspondent for BBC news and led the BBC's coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa

From 2013 to 2024 Ms Mazumdar worked as the global health correspondent for BBC news and led the BBC’s coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa

From 2009 to 2011 she worked as a presenter on BBC Radio 1’s news programme, Newsbeat. During that time she deputised as a news reader on the Chris Moyles breakfast programme which broadcast to around 10 million people.

She was then the senior Pakistan producer based in Islamabad from 2011 to 2012.

Her career then took her to BBC Newsnight where she worked on films into the ‘legal high’ industry and the 1963 Bristol Bus Boycott.

From 2013 to 2024 she worked as the global health correspondent for BBC news and led the BBC’s coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Her other coverage included looking at drug resistant TB in Mumbai, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in Saudi Arabia, access to pain relief in Uganda and the psychological impact of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

In 2016 Ms Mazumdar won the Public Service prize at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards at a glittering ceremony in London.

In her personal life, Ms Mazumdar revealed in a Telegraph article in February she has had four miscarriages since autumn 2019. Two in early pregnancy and two in the second trimester.

Ms Mazumdar said she does not shy away from talking about her lost children Rivah and Rae who she gave birth to and said ‘it helps to make them real’.

She supports the development that people who have lost a baby before 24 weeks will now be able to apply for a certificate from the Government recognising their death.

Her experiences with miscarriage gave her the inspiration to produce a number of pieces for BBC News on the subject. 

Ms Mazumdar’s exit from the BBC follows a slew of talent leaving the broadcaster in recent weeks.

Sean Rafferty recently quit his BBC Radio 3 programme In Tune which he had been presenting for 27 years

Sean Rafferty recently quit his BBC Radio 3 programme In Tune which he had been presenting for 27 years

BBC newscaster Aaron Heslehurst has walked away from the channel after more than 22 years

BBC newscaster Aaron Heslehurst has walked away from the channel after more than 22 years

Sean Rafferty recently quit his BBC Radio 3 programme In Tune which he had been presenting for 27 years. 

The 76-year-old said: ‘I shall miss the truly remarkable and life-enhancing musicians, many coming to the studio ever since they began their careers – a joy.’

Meanwhile BBC newscaster Aaron Heslehurst walked away from the channel after more than 22 years. 

The business news presenter said on social media: ‘I guess it’s time to share something with you. This week will be my very last show at the BBC.’

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