The Andrew Marr Show: Why is the BBC show ending?

Andrew Marr has been a staple of the BBC for over 20 years.

The veteran journalist and broadcaster, Marr began his career as a political commentator, before going on to edit The Independent newspaper from 1996 to 1998.

Marr then first joined the BBC in 2000 as a political editor before going on to host The Andrew Marr Show – previously called Sunday AM – from 2005, as well as producing many documentaries for the network.

But in November 2021, Marr announced that he would be leaving the BBC and that his show would be coming to an end.

Why is The Andrew Marr Show ending, and will he be replaced?

Why is The Andrew Marr Show ending?

Marr, 62, announced that he is leaving the BBC via Twitter on November 19, 2021.

He will be joining the Global news network to ‘write and present political and cultural shows.’

His move will bring The Andrew Marr Show to an end after 16 years on the air.

Personal announcement. After 21 years, I have decided to move on from the BBC.l leave behind many happy memories and wonderful colleagues. But from the New Year I am moving to Global to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers

— Andrew Marr (@AndrewMarr9) November 19, 2021

In his tweets, he expanded on his reasoning for leaving the BBC: ‘I think British politics and public life are going to go through an even more turbulent decade, and as I’ve said, I am keen to get my own voice back’ he wrote.

‘I have been doing the Andrew Marr show every Sunday morning for 16 years now and that is probably more than enough time for anybody!’

He continued: ‘Coming to Global gives me a new freedom – to do fast-paced, very regular political journalism on LBC with no filter, in entirely my own voice.’

Global released a statement on Twitter clarifying what roles Marr would be taking within their news network.

‘@AndrewMarr9 is joining Global in a broadcast exclusive.

‘Andrew will be presenting new shows on @LBC & @ClassicFM, a new weekly podcast on @GlobalPlayer, and will also write a regular column for [LBC website].’

Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s outgoing director of news and current affairs, said: ‘Throughout his long and distinguished career at the BBC, Andrew has been a firm favourite with our audiences.

‘Andrew started at the BBC as a knowledgeable and insightful political editor and went on to become a feature of the UK’s Sunday mornings, on Sunday AM, which became the Andrew Marr Show. He is a fantastic presenter and interviewer, whose wisdom and skill will be a loss to our screens.

‘We thank him greatly for his years of service and wish him the best of luck in his new role.’

Will Andrew Marr be replaced?

Sophie Raworth has been announced as a temporary replacement for Andrew Marr following his departure from the BBC.

The Andrew Marr Show is set to be temporarily retitled Sunday Morning, with Sophie expected to start her new role from January 9.

The BBC will then conduct its search for a permanent host.

Sophie has been with the BBC since 1992, where she started as a news reporter and going on to become a presenter on BBC News at Six and the BBC News at Ten.

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