ITV Calendar's main presenter Duncan Wood is set to leave the broadcaster after 19 years. The presenter of the news channel covering Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire is to say goodbye to the channel tomorrow (26 May).
Duncan, who has been away from work due to health issues, will say farewell in a recorded message almost 19 years to the day of his first broadcast. The presenter started his career as a reporter at a local paper in Sunderland before writing for the nationals.
He moved into broadcasting at Newcastle's Metro FM and then began his 32 years in television at ITV Tyne Tees. Duncan also spent 7 years as North of England correspondent and stand-in presenter at GMTV before joining ITV Calendar.
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The presenter worked alongside Christine Talbot at Television Centre in Leeds since 2003 and were the longest serving partnership in ITV until Christine's departure last year. Duncan said: "It's been an incredible honour and privilege to be allowed into the front rooms of millions of homes across the region for almost two decades, building up a relationship with ITV Calendar's wonderful viewers, and telling their amazing stories.
"I've been fortunate to make many lifelong friends through the programme and to have worked with some exceptionally talented people both on and off screen. But after a lot of thought I've decided the time is right for me to start the next chapter of my life and see what's round the next corner."
Duncan's work as a journalist and presenter has been recognised on many occasions including the Royal Television Society, the O2 awards, the Yorkshire Choice Awards and the Yorkshire Society who named him Media Personality of the Year. He was also given his own show "Wood You Believe It" and interviewed star names in the "One to One' series for ITV Yorkshire.
Head of News at ITV News Calendar, Mark Hayman said: "Duncan has made a huge contribution to television in the region covering the biggest stories of the last two decades. In addition to telling the day’s news his sense of fun and on-screen relationship with weather presenter Jon Mitchell have established him as a favourite with viewers. We are very sad that he has decided that it's time to leave us and we wish him the very best of luck in the future."
