Martha Kearney will step down from presenting BBC Radio 4’s Today after the general election.
The Irish journalist will present the BBC’s flagship morning news programme until then, the corporation confirmed today.
Kearney, 66, will continue working for the radio station after then and front a new interview series called This Natural Life, where she will explore how nature has become a passion for the programme’s guests.
She will also begin presenting episodes of Open Country this spring.
There is already speculation over who may be stepping in as Kearney’s replacement. The Telegraph reported that i columnist Emma Barnett could be in line to fill the role, though this has not been confirmed.
BBC director-general Tim Davie hailed her as an “outstanding” broadcaster and paid tribute to her “hallmark incisive questioning”.
Kearney said: “I have loved working on Today with its incredible reach and influence but now it’s time to move on to pastures new – literally.
“I am really looking forward to sharing my passion for nature in an exciting new series as well as a much-loved favourite programme. And I won’t be missing that 3am alarm call.
“I have been planning my move for a while now and the general election, which will be my eleventh, is the right point to move on.”
Davie said: “Martha has been an outstanding Today presenter thanks to her hallmark incisive questioning, warmth and connection with the audience.
“She is an immensely respected and popular journalist, and I’d like to thank her on behalf of the BBC and her millions of listeners.
“I’m delighted Martha’s illustrious BBC career will continue on Radio 4 – giving listeners outstanding programming beyond the election.”
Today editor Owenna Griffiths said Kearney had “great tenacity, insight and a wonderfully broad range of interests” as a journalist.
“Above all, she’s a warm and generous colleague who will be missed by me and the team,” she said.
Kearney has presented Today for the past six years, having first joined the BBC in 1988.
She began her radio career as a phone operator at LBC before joining the BBC’s On The Record in 1988.
She was the first woman presenter of Radio 4’s The World at One which she fronted for over a decade and was a regular presenter of Woman’s Hour from 1998 to 2007.