BBC presenter Simon King has announced he is leaving BBC Radio 5Live after nearly 15 years. The meteorologist joined the BBC weather team in August 2008 before moving to Salford Quays for Radio 5Live in 2011. Since then, he has been delivering weather reports, storm warnings and heatwaves to listeners nationwide.
On Wednesday (October 7), the 50-year-old took to Instagram to share his latest career move and departure from the airwaves. Alongside a carousel of photos of him and his fellow presenting team in the studio, he shared a work update with his 2,500 followers online.
Emotional farewell
He wrote: "Bit of an emotional day and end of an era for me today. After over 15 years doing the regular weather on BBC 5Live, this morning was my last. I'm not going anywhere... but doing other bits for BBC weather on TV, digital... covering stories, even popping back on 5Live with news of storms/snow/extreme weather!"
He continued: "5Live has been a massive part of life and career, and I've had such a good time spending my mornings with all the presenters, from the early duo of Nicky Campbell and Shelagh Fogarty, then, of course, Rachel Burden, who I've been broadcasting alongside for 15 years, and most recently, Rick Edwards."
He added: "So many fantastic sports, travel and business presenters. Plus all the brilliant producers, technical crew and editors too. Breakfast radio is honestly a real family."
Highlights and fan support
Simon went on: "But more importantly, 5Live has the unique ability to get closer to the audience than anyone else, and I've loved all the interactions with the wider 5Live family (even when I'm getting messages about getting the weather wrong!)."
He shared highlights from his tenure, saying: "Highlights include going to Miami, meeting the Hurricane Hunters to cover the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, D-Day in the original operations room, royal weddings and broadcasting live from Afghanistan one morning! I will genuinely miss it," he concluded.
It didn't take long for viewers to flock to the comments to pass on their well-wishes online. One colleague wrote: "You'll be missed! Was a joy working with you." Another said: "Wishing you the very, very best, Simon. A class act and a fab presenter." Broadcaster Ellie Brennan added: "Love our short time we were desk neighbours. Thanks for making it the funnest time. The goat!!!!!! Here's to the next chapter." A fourth commented: "Ah, Simon, I can't believe it! You are Mr Weather in the mornings to me. Good luck with the new role though, you'll be brilliant."
Changes at 5 Live Breakfast
The news comes ahead of Naga Munchetty's arrival at BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast after 17 years at the helm of BBC Breakfast. She will replace current breakfast show hosts Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who will step down from the show in December. However, the flexible working arrangements she has negotiated, which will see her present three days in the Salford studio and two days a week from London near her Hertfordshire home, have caused "consternation" behind the scenes at 5 Live, especially since her yet-to-be-announced co-presenter will be expected to do five days a week in the studio in Salford.
A source told The Mirror: "Many don't feel that is particularly fair, and that bosses have afforded her special treatment." Another bone of contention is that her role was handed to her rather than advertised. The source said: "There is disquiet that the role has been handed to her on a plate, whereas prospective co-presenters will have to battle it out for the job. Naga was a shoo-in, whereas her co-presenter is expected to jump through various hoops…it doesn't strike some as particularly fair."
