Helen Young leaves the BBC

The BBC’s lead weather presenter Helen Young has left the corporation.

Young presented her last TV forecast this evening (Friday November 11, 2005).

Helen joined the BBC Weather Centre in London in 1993, as the youngest TV forecaster in the team.

For 12 years of her Met Office career, she has provided forecasts on a host of BBC television and radio channels.

Her broadcasting role saw her become Head of the BBC Weather Centre team in 2000. Helen has also written and acted as consultant for a range of children’s books that relate to the weather.

Helen decided to leave the corporation to spend more time with her young family.

She said: “When I joined the BBC Weather Centre, I never would have dreamt of presenting on primetime TV for over 12 years – or of all the opportunities I would be given along the way.

“It really has been a dream job. I’ve been able to talk about a subject I’m fascinated with and I’ve been able to forecast and witness the unique British Isles weather at close quarters.

“I will miss it and my colleagues, but sometimes family life has to come first. It has been an enormous honour and a privilege to bring the weather to the British public; I hope I will never forget that.”

Andrew Lane, the BBC’s Weather Manager, said: “Helen has been an important part of our team for many years and we will all miss her expertise and ability to connect with audiences. We wish her the very best in the future.”

Helen Young – Profile