ITV newsreader quits after 10 years on screen leaving fans heartbroken
An ITV presenter has announced she's quitting her job at the British media company to embark on a fresh chapter in her career.
Kylie Pentelow, of ITV Weekend News, joined West Country in July 2013 after previously working as a news correspondent for the breakfast show, Daybreak, in New York.
Over the past decade, she has appeared in the anchor seat alongside a number of other high-profile presenters, including Ian Axton, Jonty Messer and Sabet Choudhury. The 44-year-old has now shared a heartfelt statement about her departure, admitting she's "really going to miss" her team at the newsroom.
She said: "What I’m really going to miss are the people I work with. This is a newsroom and a region with a team who have great wit and humour. I have loved my time here and will miss the camaraderie.
"The great thing about ITV News is that if you have an idea it is rare that someone says no. That is a great culture to have in an organisation. After ten years it is time for the next chapter. What I have done during that period has prepared me for that," she added.
Taylor Swift seen looking cosy with Matty Healy's mum Denise Welch months agoDuring her time at ITV, Kylie presented a variety of shows, including the investigation programme How Safe is a Sun Tan? following the death of her father from skin cancer in 2015. She noted this project as one of her most memorable while working at ITV, revealing that after the programme had aired she received "emails and messages from people saying they had gone to the doctor to have a mole removed."
In February 2019, Kylie joined Wales at Six for ITV Cymru Wales, on a year long assignment. In March 2020 she signed up for the four-part series Dr Ranj On Call, in which she teamed up with the Strictly Come Dancing star and medical doctor in the pursuit of helping the nation take control of its health.
Prior to joining ITV, Kylie worked as a presenter and reporter for the BBC in Nottingham.
Kylie took to Instagram on Thursday to share a photo of herself smiling and holding a bouquet of flowers at the ITV Studios on her last day on the job.
"And that’s a wrap!" she captioned the post. "Thanks to the brilliant team at ITV West Country. What a ride it’s been. And apparently the article about me leaving is the most viewed on the ITV News website! Crazy." It didn't take long for the Northampton native's followers to react to the farewell message, with many taking to the comment section to offer kind words.
"So sad your leaving. Wish you and your new young family all the best for the future. You were brilliant," one person wrote.
"Good luck lovely Kylie we are going to miss your happy personality on our local news," another said. "Look forward to seeing what your next venture."
"Heartbreaking to see you go Kylie as the West Country news won't be the same without you," one particularly disappointed viewer wrote.
Meanwhile, her West Country co-host Sabet Choudhury has also publicly paid tribute to the hardworking journalist and mum-of-one. "Although it's been just a few months working with Kylie, I've come to realise why she's so loved and respected," he said in a statement.
"It's been a genuine honour to present alongside her and will miss her happy presence in the West Country newsroom."
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