After 32 years, Jon Snow presented his final edition of Channel 4 last night - and viewers were feeling pretty emotional about his departure.
The 74-year-old gave a poignant final speech at the end of the news programme where he paid tribute to the people he has worked with since joining the channel back in 1989, along with thanking the viewers who have watched his bulletins all these years.
“I am nothing in this studio without the significant technical and journalistic teams that night after night ensure that Channel 4 news comes to you,” Snow said.
“The joy of working here is those teams and their skills - technicians and journalists - and thanks to the far-sighted government, regulators, that have given us an hour of independent news in prime time.
Here is @jonsnowC4's emotional final sign off from @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/5QPkFNbxPe
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) December 23, 2021
“Thank you to all of the people who have trusted me with their stories all over the world too, often in appalling circumstances, but most of all, I am so grateful to you at home - yes you, sitting there,” as he pointed at the camera.
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“It’s not always an easy watch. We don’t always get away with it and we don’t always get it right.
“But your hunger to know more about the world, to hear different voices, to get closer to the truth, it’s been the greatest privilege of my life to bring you the news. Thank you. Stay safe. That’s Channel 4 news. Good evening.”
Snow’s career began at LBC in 1973, before he became Washington correspondent and diplomatic editor at ITN in 1976 and before he became the present we all know and love at Channel 4.
Viewers took to Twitter to send their supportive message to Snow - and it’s clear many will miss the broadcaster (along with his colourful ties and socks).
I’m gunna miss him and his socks 🥺😔 https://t.co/jMelCb8wCR
— museum nerd (@nix_ot) December 24, 2021
So lovely. A hero of independent, fierce journalism. Thank you @jonsnowC4 for your decades of public service. https://t.co/U97eOiYmQl
— Nick Ward (@nickmward) December 23, 2021
The end of an era. A really good news reader and journalist he pushed for answers. My nan loved him. https://t.co/S0ioXAcDxo
— I-tasha Honeyghan 🇯🇲 Behaviour Practitioner (@MissItashaJ) December 24, 2021
i am weeping :(((( https://t.co/B7SnPGWEvo
— Steph (@StephanieYeboah) December 24, 2021
Why am I crying my eyes out https://t.co/XQMt9FHoLh
— the big beats manifesto (@carbiehilton) December 24, 2021
He actually should invite the whole country to his leaving drinks cos I’m also invested https://t.co/h5EnQkuLhc
— Kibabu 🇹🇿 (@K_ebabs) December 23, 2021
Oh god. I'm in floods. They all love him SO much. And so do we.
— Mandoline 🐦 (@Mandoline_Blue) December 23, 2021
We'll miss you John Snow 💔 https://t.co/SIWUYfrQui
Seems like such a genuinely nice man 🥺 https://t.co/wMq40NzDME
— NICKSY (@_Nicksy) December 24, 2021
Not a dry eye in the house. https://t.co/7eFMz03inz
— Patrick Condren (@PatCondren) December 23, 2021
After he signed off for a final time, the camera then followed Snow as he walked through the newsroom as colleagues cheered and applauded him, and confetti fell around him.
Moving credits signed off Snow’s final broadcast at the end that reflected his time, influence and impact on Channel 4 which also had viewers in tears. The credits listed Snow with the titles of Voice, Mentor, Leader, Inspiration, Driving Force, Moral Compass, and Friend. It also read: “We’re all so happy and proud to have worked with you Jon, we stand on your shoulders, thank you.”
Our @channel4news end credits tonight #JonSnow pic.twitter.com/XxCrM1skVg
— Andy Davies (@adavies4) December 23, 2021
As you can imagine, viewers were also touched by this fitting dedication to Snow.
I may have cried a bit. And by a bit, I mean a lot. https://t.co/emIxhXRUJo
— #HellomyNameIsClaire (@ClaireElliott2) December 24, 2021
A. Tribute. A. Legend. https://t.co/8qEenGtph4
— Chikere Ezeh (@Chykere) December 24, 2021
So touching….. https://t.co/EUzXcvEONe
— Dr Wendy Peake (@WendyPeake6) December 24, 2021
#JonSnow @jonsnowC4 I grew up watching him and have continued through my adult life. He will be much missed!! https://t.co/lQ8vyb0sYW
— Yolypoppins (@BruxaPiruxa) December 24, 2021
Why am I crying in the club right now https://t.co/7A7lkehbDO
— Abi (@abimacedo_) December 24, 2021
This was a brilliant way to acknowledge Jon's impact. https://t.co/txGfRcPlCx
— Alan Sherry (@AlanSherry1) December 23, 2021
From interviewing the likes of Nelson Mandela, Hillary Clinton, Margaret Thatcher to meeting fictional Jon Snow from Games of Thrones (Kit Harrington) clips of Snow’s international coverage of current events that has taken him all over the world, he’s certainly had some memorable moments over the years which Channel 4 shared ahead of his final edition.
Today marks the end of an era at Channel 4 News, as @jonsnowC4 will present his final edition of the programme tonight at 7pm.
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) December 23, 2021
Here's a look back at his remarkable 32-year career presenting the show from around the world. pic.twitter.com/cOcnGEfHIK
Tributes from fellow journalists, politicians and public figures have been pouring as Snow present his final edition of the news.
Former UK prime minister, Gordon Brown described Snow as a “British institution and always will be.” He added: “Jon, your charitable work is less well known but attribute to your idealism. “You deserve all our thanks for showing us that even amidst evil and injustice in this world a better world is possible.
Channel 4 co-presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy posted a Twitter thread in tribute to his colleague and called him “the most energetic, enthusiastic, committed and questioning TV journalist - who has brought compassion and humanity to his reporting wherever he goes.”
He’s always been the most energetic, enthusiastic, committed and questioning TV journalist - who has brought compassion and humanity to his reporting wherever he goes. Viewers love him. And even those politicians who disagree and get angry with him respect him. (2)
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) December 23, 2021
Another co-presenter, Cathy Newman called working with Snow “the privilege of my life” and also said: “...please know you have inspired so many in every corner of the world.”
Dear @jonsnowC4 as you present your final @Channel4News tonight please know you have inspired so many in every corner of the world. I first started tuning in as a student, never dreaming I’d one day co-present with you. It has been the privilege of my life. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/SLcTqOB91F
— Cathy Newman (@cathynewman) December 23, 2021
Newsnight presenter, Emily Maitlis shared Snow gave her one of her first breaks in broadcast journalism and described him as a “real mensch and role model.”
Jon gave me one of my first breaks in television - covering the Hong Kong Handover. He was voraciously curious , boundlessly energetic , supportive and immensely kind. A real mensch and role model. https://t.co/BYtoFZxZgQ
— emily m (@maitlis) December 23, 2021
Comedian, Nish Kumar also praised Snow, calling him a “class act.”
What a class act. And he signs off with an important message about Channel 4. Many of us barely know television without him being on it. https://t.co/SnQeSjICfH
— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) December 24, 2021
Broadcaster, Piers Morgan shared some kind words about Snow too, “You’ve been a consistently brilliant news broadcaster, and aside from the ludicrous ties, and dodgy helmets, a lot of fun too. Congrats on a great run - I’ll miss you!”
Farewell Snowy @jonsnowC4 after 32 years at Channel 4 News.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 23, 2021
You’ve been a consistently brilliant news broadcaster, and aside from the ludicrous ties, and dodgy helmets, a lot of fun too. Congrats on a great run - I’ll miss you! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/OL6BSc93ML
In April this year, Snow announced he would be leaving his role, and said in a statement: “After three incredible decades on Channel 4 News, it is time to move on.”
Despite no longer being a daily fixture on our TV screen, Snow will continue to do long-form projects for Channel 4 while also focusing on his charity work.
