BBC Radio Cornwall presenter Laurence Reed to leave after 32 years

Presenter Laurence Reed, who has won multiple awards over the years for his Lunchtime with Laurence weekday phone-in show - which has been running for 25 years itself - will be leaving the BBC.

He said on his show this lunchtime: "I have agonised for months over this, but I’ve finally decided this is the right time for me to leave the BBC.

"We’ve had a fantastic 25 years and I’ve made some great friends.

"Please keep listening to BBC Radio Cornwall. Let’s enjoy my last two weeks here – give me a ring!”

His show has kept Cornwall talking for the last three decades, covering hot topics of the day in his trademark investigative style.

Loved and feared in equal measure by all those responsible for decision-making in the Duchy, Laurence has never been afraid to hold politicians, councillors and others to account.

On hearing the news of his department, Rob Nolan, Cornwall councillor for Truro Redannick, wrote: "Really sorry to hear this. You ask the questions Cornwall wants answered."

His show has also given the people of Cornwall the chance to phone in and have their say, leading to some heated debate and touching moments over the years.

Tributes have already started to pour in on social media, from colleagues and listeners alike.

Fellow presenter Donna Birrell described it as "the end of an era," adding that Laurence "will be hugely missed by Cornwall."

One listener said: "So many people have been helped by you. Sad news."

Last year Laurence almost lost his life after contracting sepsis following an operation to remove a gall stone. He was off air for a number of months while he recovered. 

Laurence's last day at the station will now be on Friday, November 6.

The programme, which runs 2pm to 6pm, will be presented in the interim by James Dundon. 

Laurence added: "I started as a tea boy answering the phones, so I haven’t actually progressed that much actually!

“I don’t want people to feel sad because we’re handing on the baton to a really powerful team so the same kind of programme will continue. We will challenge those decision makers, we will hold people to account.

“I’ve had a difficult 12 months. I’m not going to use sepsis as an excuse but it makes you revaluate life - and it’s probably left me with a little less energy than before.

“Let’s enjoy the next two weeks – it’s business as usual until then and it’ll be business as usual after that.”

Laurence began answering the phones for the BBC in 1988 when he was working as a mobile disco DJ. He was taken on as a freelance reporter, getting paid £5 for every story he filed.

He went on to do an MA in broadcast journalism as Falmouth University before joining the station full-time and becoming the presenter of the phone-in show in 1995.

During his 32-year tenure with BBC Radio Cornwall, Laurence has interviewed celebrities, prime ministers and thousands of Cornish locals.

His monthly mental health phone-in recently won an award from the British Medical Journal.

Others choosing to leave the station include presenters Debbie McCrory and Donna Birrell, weatherman Kevin Thomas and producer and reporter Denis Nightingale.

Earlier this year the BBC announced an organisation-wide voluntary redundancy scheme to help it meet its stringent savings requirements.

Stephanie Marshall, head of the BBC in the West and South West, said: “Laurence is a talented presenter, diligent journalist and tireless champion of Cornwall, who has a unique ability to connect with listeners.

"He has chosen to step down from the phone-in show but will always be a friend of the station.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those leaving BBC Radio Cornwall – your work has been invaluable in helping to make the station the success it is.”