BBC Hit With Major Exit as Jo Coburn Announces Departure After 28 Years

Jo Coburn is stepping away from the BBC after nearly three decades as a broadcaster, leaving behind her role as the face of Politics Live. She’s been guiding viewers through the chaos of British politics since the show launched in 2018, but come the end of May, she’ll be signing off for good.

Coburn first joined the BBC back in 1997, starting out as a political reporter in Westminster before steadily working her way up. Over the years, she became a regular on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the BBC News Channel, and main bulletins like the Six and Ten O’Clock News. But for many viewers, she became a household name alongside Andrew Neil on Daily Politics, before stepping into the lead presenter role when Politics Live took over.

Reflecting on her time in the hot seat, she said: “What a privilege to have been in the hot seat of the Daily Politics and then Politics Live covering the tumultuous events of the last decade or so. It’s time to move on and hand over to someone else but I’ve loved it all, especially the people I’ve worked with and the hundreds of guests who’ve kept me company in the studio every day.”

Jo’s departure marks the end of an era, and her colleagues aren’t hiding how much they’ll miss her. Hilary O’Neill, executive editor of politics at the BBC, praised her as a “forensic interviewer and engaging presenter” who brought clarity and insight to some of the UK’s most complicated political moments. “Jo has shaped Politics Live into the programme it is today,” she said.

Richard Burgess, the BBC’s director of news content, added: “Millions of viewers have benefited from Jo’s incisive interviewing and her ability to host intelligent discussion and debate from across the political spectrum.”

Jo’s résumé speaks for itself. Over her BBC career, she’s anchored coverage of six chancellors’ budgets, covered eight general elections, and hosted live by-election specials. She was also there during major political moments like the MPs’ expenses scandal and the Cash for Honours investigation, not to mention the early days of London’s mayoral elections.

With her departure now confirmed, attention will turn to who’ll take over the Politics Live chair. But for many, Jo Coburn will be remembered as a calm, sharp, and unflinching presence during some of the most turbulent political years in recent memory.