Alastair Stewart retires as a news broadcaster

Alastair Stewart OBE is to retire from regular television after 47 years of news broadcasting.

Alastair hosted his final episode of Alastair Stewart & Friends last weekend.

He will continue to work with GB News as a contributor and commentator on major news events such as the King’s Coronation and the general election.

“I’m nearly 71 and I still get the most tremendous lift from live television – it’s the best job in the world,” Alastair said.

“However, the rigours of preparing for two live interview shows a week, and commuting from Hampshire to London for them, are considerable.

“I want to reduce my commitment while I’m still ahead as an old broadcaster, rather than an ancient one.

“Thankfully the timing is mine; I just want to spend more of it with my family, my horses, and the charities that have meant so much to me over the years.

“It’s been a privilege to complete my regular broadcasting career with a sparky start-up like GB News that’s challenging the traditional moulds I’ve known for so long.

“It’s kept me on my toes, taught me new tricks, but above all GB News has liberated me.

“I’ve had the freedom to cover the stories I’m passionate about, interview the people I want, and to offer my perspective more freely than I’ve been allowed to in the past.

“I’m grateful to everyone at GB News, but also to all the fabulous colleagues I’ve known throughout these many years. Quite simply, I couldn’t have done any of it without them.”

Stewart joined Southern Television in 1976 then joined ITN in 1980 where he served three years with Channel 4 News and then went on to become a main newsreader with ITV News.

He remained in this role for more than 35 years, making him the longest-serving male newsreader on British television, having worked in both local and national news for 44 years.

In January 2020 he stepped down as an ITV News presenter and joined GB News in June 2021.