Sky News broadcaster Kay Burley has announced she is retiring from the channel after 36 years.
The 64-year-old journalist, known for her coverage of major events like the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the September 11 attacks, surprised everyone this morning. She made the announcement on her final Sky News Breakfast show.
She revealed the news without prior warning during the program, reflecting on her illustrious career as a pioneering figure in the world of news. She had been part of the original team that launched Sky News back in 1989.
Following her on-air announcement, the staff were promptly informed of her decision. The broadcasting executives at Sky News felt it was only fitting for her to be the one to share the news with her colleagues.
The presenter, reported to earn at least £600,000 a year as of 2020, said shortly before 10am at the close of the show: ‘Just before we end today’s programme, a couple of moments to reflect on the past 36 years here at Sky News – our birthday today.
‘It’s been an honour and a privilege to work with some of the best and hardest-working teams in the business.
‘News by its very nature is often devastating and together we’ve covered so many life-changing events – from the tragic death of Diana, the shocking terror attack of 9/11; the Asian Tsunami; the Concorde air disaster.
‘But we’ve also enjoyed some wonderful high notes too, haven’t we? The thrill of London winning the chance to host the 2012 Olympics; a plethora of royal weddings; jubilees and who can forget days and days and days waiting for royal babies to arrive at the Lindo Wing,’ she said with a knowing smile.
She continued: ‘But after over a million minutes of live TV news – more than anyone else in the world – its time for me to indulge in some of my other passions – including my love for travel.
‘So, after covering 12 separate general elections – including Sir Keir Starmer’s victory last year – I am retiring from Sky News.’
She joked: ‘Let politicians of every party just rejoice at that news.’
Wrapping up the shock announcement, Kay added: ‘Thank you for waking up and tuning in every morning. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated your support over the last three and a half decades. You’re awesome.
‘I will post more on my social media and hope to see you around. Please keep in touch.’
As she finished speaking, she was applauded by members of the Sky News team, some of whom filmed her closing remarks from the side of the stage.
David Rhodes, Sky News Executive Chairman, shared a note with staff following the news Kay Burley will retire from Sky News after 36 years, as he confirmed today was her last day on air.
He said: ‘Talking with Kay about her plans, we all felt it was more fitting that Kay break this story herself. She’s done that now in her own words, and we’ll be sharing the clip on social channels today.
‘A founding member of Sky News, Kay helped build our proposition from its launch in 1989. She has been a constant presence on our screens over the course of our 36 years.’
He added: ‘I’m sure some MPs in Westminster will sleep easy knowing they won’t face her indomitable questioning in the mornings.
‘Kay confirmed that today was her final broadcast with Sky News. Of course, Breakfast continues – with the other current presenters and with our Friday-Sunday team.
‘We thank Kay for her huge contribution to Sky, to the art of the interview and to British journalism. And we wish her the best of luck.’
Born in Wigan in 1960 to a working class family, Kay got her start as a cub reporter for the Wigan Evening Post and Chronicle before working for both the BBC and Tyne Tees Television and later TV-am before joining Sky in 1988.
She then joined the fledgling Sky News channel ahead of its 1989 launch, and has since become the face of the channel covering the world’s biggest news stories.
She anchored late afternoon shows and became the channel’s dependable figurehead for the coverage of major and developing stories – from terror attacks and natural disasters to royal births and weddings.
But her career was also sprinkled with controversy and accusations of insensitivity.
In 2008, she clashed with Associated Press photographer Kirsty Wigglesworth outside Uxbridge Magistrates Court after she was hit in the cheek by a camera.
Witnesses said the anchorwoman ‘had her hands around the photographer’s neck’ in a ‘really vicious’ attack as they jostled for position in the media scrum for supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was appearing on assault charges.
She was further criticised in 2012 for revealing live on air to volunteers looking for missing girl April Jones that the Welsh youngster was likely dead.
The broadcaster also made popstar Peter Andre cry during a live interview by asking how he would feel if Katie Price’s now ex-husband Alex Reid wanted to adopt his children.
Her question was prompted after Andre offered to adopt Harvey, the son Price had with footballer Dwight Yorke. The offer prompted anger from the ex-Aston Villa forward.
She later apologised to the Mysterious Girl singer – but was cleared of accusations of bullying by regulator Ofcom, which said her questioning had been ‘persistent and probing’ rather than ‘intimidating’.
Kay was also lampooned for a tweet in which she said a dog had ‘sadness in his eyes’ following the Paris terror attack in November 2015.
She was suspended from her flagship Kay Burley @Breakfast show at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic after it emerged she had broken Tier 2 lockdown restrictions in London.
She threw herself a 60th birthday party at her home in Knightsbridge, central London – in breach of rules that banned social gatherings.
Junior colleagues are alleged to have recruited a paparazzi photographer to snap pictures of her hugging presenter Beth Rigby – who also took time away – in order to leak the story to the media via an anonymous email address.
Kay was further criticised during the search Nicola Bulley, who disappeared in January 2023, for hosting an on-air segment in which she retraced the mother’s last known steps in real time while providing real-time commentary.
Outside of journalism, Kay has also written books: the largely panned erotic romance First Ladies and high-society thriller Betrayal.
Her fame as a broadcaster also led to her competing in ITV’s celebrity skating show, Dancing On Ice, as well as Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted.
She donated her Dancing On Ice fee to MacMillan Cancer Care in memory of her mother Kath, who died of breast cancer in 1993. Her grandmother died of the same condition when Kath was 18.
Kay carries a gene making her particularly susceptible to developing cancer, and her younger sister, Jacqueline, was diagnosed with the disease in recent years.
Jacqueline was given the all-clear just last month, prompting a joyous Kay to write on Instagram: ‘The best of news. My baby sister Jacqueline is cancer free.’
Married twice – once to fellow reporter Steve Burley, then to former football agent Steve Kutner – she has one son, Alexander Kutner, 31, who was born in April 1993.
Tributes have been paid to Kay’s career by other media giants and former colleagues.
Former BBC producer Sam McAlister, credited with securing the infamous Prince Andrew interview in 2019, called her ‘an absolute icon… smart as hell, sharp as they come’.
Ex-Sky News journalist and broadcaster Adam Boulton wrote on X: ‘There are no other women of her background who have had such an impact on British news and current affairs.’
Kay had denied reports she was planning to leave her breakfast show that emerged in December after taking over from Sunrise host Sarah-Jane Mee in 2019.
She told MailOnline then of the rumours she was leaving: ‘Not that I’m aware of, unless you are telling me something new.’
This is a breaking story – more to follow.
