Andrew Marr signs off from BBC show with Anchorman quote

Andrew Marr has signed off from his final BBC political show with a quote by his “mentor” Ron Burgundy from the movie Anchorman. 

The veteran journalist, 62, announced in November that he would be leaving the corporation after 21 years and was “keen to get his own voice back”.

The 62-year-old said he would now focus on writing and presenting political and cultural shows for the media company Global and writing for newspapers.

On Sunday he presented the final edition of his eponymous politics show, which has been on the air for 16 years. 

He said: “That it is, all over, I have been so lucky and so privileged to share so many Sunday mornings with you.”

Referring to the catchphrase of the fictional news anchor played by Will Ferrell in the 2004 hit comedy, he added: “I have been wondering how to close this final show, but I can’t do better than quoting my great mentor: ‘You stay classy, San Diego.’”

His final programme featured a montage of highlights of the show over the years, including interviews with Tony Blair, Greta Thunberg, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin.

Among his final guests were actor David Tennant and Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who both expressed regret at his departure.

Sophie Raworth will serve as the interim presenter of the Sunday morning programme, which will be temporarily retitled Sunday Morning, from January 9.

Marr said moving to the London-based media company will offer him a “new freedom” to do “fast-paced, very regular political journalism on LBC with no filter”.

He is set to host an opinion-led programme on LBC which will see him “give his view on the biggest issues of the moment” alongside guests

Marr will also present a new programme on Classic FM, playing music and interviewing guests from the world of politics and arts, host a weekly podcast on Global Player and write a regular column for the LBC website.