Telly favourite Sally Taylor has just shared the bittersweet news that she’s waving goodbye to her presenter gig at BBC South after an impressive four-decade run. Holding the title as the show’s longest-standing female face since hopping on board in 1987, Sally said: “I fell into television 40 years ago and never thought I’d still be doing it today, but the time has come to hand over the reins to someone else who I hope will cherish the job as much as I have. Being the presenter of a daily 6.30pm BBC regional programme is one of the best jobs in television.” She continued to express her gratitude for the journey: “South Today has given me opportunities that would never have been possible anywhere else and I’m so grateful for that. At the heart of everything we do is the relationship with our audience, I feel very honoured that they have shared and trusted me to tell their stories. It’s been wonderful.”
Sally Taylor is leaving BBC TV after 40 years
(Image: BBC/Rolf Marriott)
Throughout her storied career, she’s been on the frontline for an impressive 10 general elections, took broadcasting to new frosty heights live from Antarctica aboard HMS Endurance, and delivered reports from Bosnia post-war alongside military medics. Not only did Sally become a staple on BBC South TV screens, but her voice also became synonymous with the airwaves through presenting gigs on BBC Spotlight in Plymouth, a mid-morning slot on BBC Radio Solent, and a Saturday morning programme for the station. She also penned a weekly column for the Southern Daily Echo. Peter Cook, BBC South’s senior head of content production, said: “Sally is a broadcasting legend. She’s had an incredible career at the BBC and earned the respect and affection of our viewers who have trusted her to tell them what’s happening and why. She’s a talented broadcaster, a brilliant journalist, and a great colleague,” reports the Mirror.
Sally was a skilled broadcaster in the studio and on location
(Image: BBC)
Meanwhile, Jason Horton, BBC Local’s director of production, lavished admiration on Sally, noting: “Her class in the studio or on location, her sheer hard work in preparing for the programme, and her eye for the stories that really connect with the South Today audience, is unrivalled. Sally has always wanted more for the viewer and encouraged us all on that mission, whether we were reporters or producers, editors or senior leaders. She has also mentored countless colleagues, supporting the next generation of journalists and broadcasters.” Having started her professional life teaching English in Leicester, Sally, now 68, has since been recognised with an MBE in 2005 for services to regional broadcasting, and she received an honorary doctorate from Winchester University in 2015. In a chat with the Daily Echo, she expressed her delight: “It is incredibly special, I had no idea until a few weeks ago when I had the letter. It meant so much because I am getting it for a job that I do that I absolutely love and it makes it all worthwhile, and to get it from the University of Winchester, which is a fantastic place.”
