Famous faces say goodbye to 'broadcasting legend'

Famous faces have paid tribute to Sally Taylor after she presented the BBC news programme she has hosted for almost four decades for the final time.

Taylor first joined South Today in 1987 and is believed to be the longest-serving female presenter of a flagship regional television news programme until her retirement.

It would be "very strange" without her, Downton Abbey and Paddington star Hugh Bonneville said in a tribute.

Signing off on her final programme, Taylor said she had "loved every minute" of her time on South Today.

"I fell into broadcasting and never thought I'd be here 40 years later," she said.

Addressing the audience, she said: "You've got to remember that you have been part of this journey with me, and I feel enormously honoured that you have shared and allowed me to tell your stories."

Taylor then thanked her "wonderful" colleagues who had "kept me on my toes", before ending the programme with the words "goodbye, for the last time".

In a tribute to Taylor's time at South Today, broadcast at the end of Thursday's programme, Bonneville said she had been "such a fixture in living rooms across the south of England for so long".

"Over the years you have earned your audience's trust, its respect, and a very special place in all our hearts," he said.

The W1A actor said it had been a "pleasure" knowing Taylor, adding: "I hope that your next chapter is full of wonder, surprises and exciting new adventures."

Bruce Parker, Taylor's first co-anchor on South Today, said the pair "worked hard" and "had a lot of fun together".

Parker, who presented the programme for 37 years, added that Taylor was the "queen of regional television".

Former ITV Meridian presenter Fred Dinenage also joined the tributes, saying he and Taylor had been "friends and rivals - mainly friends - for so many many years".

He wished his old competitor "all the very best for the future", but warned "if you're thinking about retirement, there's no such thing, because if you're anything like me, you'll finish up working harder than ever".

Taylor would be "so missed - the broadcasting legend that you are", actress Sarah Parish said.

"Thank you for being the trusted face in our front room for the past 40 years," she added.

Level 42 lead singer Mark King thanked Taylor for "40 years of incredible service at the BBC".

"Have a great retirement, but I know you, you're not going to retire for very long - I'm pretty sure about that," he added.

Skiffle band The Dodge Brothers added to the tributes, thanking Taylor for "being such a supporter" of the band.

Film critic Mark Kermode, who is the band's bassist, said: "We've done gigs with you, we recorded jingles for your radio show, we've never felt more proud."

"You'll be sorely missed, but I know you'll go on to other fabulous stuff," he added.

During her career, Taylor covered 10 general elections, reported from Bosnia at the end of the war with military medics and broadcast live from Antarctica after travelling there on HMS Endurance.

In 2005, Taylor was appointed an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to regional broadcasting.

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