Dermot Murnaghan to leave Sky News

News presenter Dermot Murnaghan is leaving Sky News.

He will leave the broadcaster at the end of February after spending more than 16 years with the company.

Dermot has covered many stories at Sky including the financial chaos, political upheaval, revolutions, and the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death last September outside Buckingham Palace.

In a letter to colleagues John Ryley, the Head of Sky News, said: “Dermot has been a formidable force in British television news – a colossus – for more than 30 years – the only broadcaster to present Sky‘s News at Ten, ITV’s News at Ten and the BBC’s 10 O’ clock news, and Channel 4 News – a big testament to his stature, sharp journalistic brain, and genuine class under pressure.

“His television talents also extended way beyond news – he presented ITV’s flagship current affairs show, The Big Story, in the mid ‘90’s, helmed the long running teatime quiz, Eggheads, for 10 years. And he currently presents crime shows for the A&E networks.

“Off screen Dermot has been a wise and trusted mentor to younger colleagues, at ease talking about journalism, Arsenal’s fortunes, or his beloved biking.

“I would like to thank Dermot for the outstanding job he has done for so many years at Sky.”

Dermot began his career working as a trainee reporter on local newspapers before joining Channel 4 as a researcher and later a reporter for The Business Programme.

He presented the European Business Channel in Switzerland before returning to the UK to present on Channel 4’s breakfast programme.

From 1992 to 2002, he worked at ITN, fronting the ITV Lunchtime News and News at Ten.

Murnaghan broke the news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales to viewers on ITV, and was apart of the network’s general election coverage in 2001.

From September 2002 to December 2007 Murnaghan was a main presenter of BBC Breakfast, replacing Jeremy Bowen. He was also a stand-in on the BBC Six O’Clock News and BBC Ten O’Clock News.

In October 2007, it was announced that Murnaghan would be leaving the BBC for Sky News, and the rest is history.