BBC presenter Sally Magnusson quits after 27 years as she makes bold career move

Sally Magnusson is stepping down as the presenter of BBC Scotland’s Reporting Scotland after 27 years. She will host her final show in April but will continue working with the BBC in a different way.

Broadcaster Sally Magnusson is to step down from presenting BBC Scotland’s flagship news programme, Reporting Scotland, after 27 years.

She began presenting the show in 1998, when it was broadcast from BBC Scotland’s former home in Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow. Sally will anchor the programme for the last time in April but will continue to work with the broadcaster on a freelance basis.

She said: “Leaving Reporting Scotland will be a real wrench after 27 years. I’ll miss the buzz and challenges of live news presentation, which I’ve always adored. But although my focus now turns to a growing writing career, an expanding family, and my work around dementia, I’m also looking forward to maintaining links with the BBC as a freelance broadcaster.”

Sally began her journalism career as a graduate trainee on The Scotsman newspaper in 1979. She then moved to the BBC Scotland’s Current Account programme and worked on network news programmes including Sixty Minutes, London Plus and Breakfast. She returned to Scotland to present Reporting Scotland two days a week and also worked on other TV programmes including Songs Of Praise and Panorama. Her most recent BBC Scotland television documentary was Alzheimer’s, A Cure And Me which aired last year.

Sally is also an award-winning author and founded the charity Playlist for Life in 2013 after observing the effect music had on her mother’s dementia. The charity works with families and care homes to encourage people to develop a playlist of personally meaningful music for those with dementia and led to her being made an MBE for services to people with dementia and their carers.

Gary Smith, BBC Scotland head of news and current affairs, said: “Sally is an outstanding journalist, broadcaster, and writer. She has skilfully guided viewers through countless big and sometimes difficult stories and the teatime audience will miss her hugely – as will all of us who have worked with her over the years.”

This follows the departure of other key BBC staff members. Just yesterday, veteran BBC News reporter Paul Clifton announced he was leaving after an impressive 38-year career. A well-known figure in regional journalism, Paul shared news of his retirement, marking the end of an era for both viewers and colleagues.

Throughout his tenure, he covered a wide range of stories, becoming a trusted voice in the community. Paul announced the news on social media, penning: “Big moment for me: after 38 years, my final day at the BBC. I've spent more than half my life as transport correspondent, and it has rarely felt like working. Travelled the world, won the prizes, worked with the best in the business, met amazing people. But now I'm off.”

Before this, Zoe Ball stepped down. She announced she would be leaving the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show in December 2024 after more than six years as host. Zoe, a well-known voice on BBC Radio, took over the role in 2019, succeeding Chris Evans.

Zoe shared her decision in a heartfelt message to her fans, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to connect with listeners each morning. She explained that while she was excited about the new chapter ahead, stepping down from the show was a difficult choice. To many fans, Zoe's departure also marks the end of an era for BBC Radio 2, as she has become synonymous with the morning airwaves.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .