TV
Kate Adie quits BBC News after 34 years
Published Wednesday, Jan 29 2003, 13:54 GMT | By Steven Smith
Veteran war correspondent Kate Adie has left the BBC after 34 years, the BBC confirmed today.
Adie leaves her £150,000-a-year post on what appears to be the verge of an imminent attack on Iraq - which would have almost certainly seen her taking a lead role in its coverage.
In her career, Adie covered conflicts in China, Libya, Kuwait and Afghanistan, and in April 1999 reported on the murder of her friend and colleague, Jill Dando. In recent times, however, she was seen to have 'fallen out of favour' with the BBC and was rarely seen on screen.
Her reknowned straight-talking was often seen as criticism of the BBC, which she said prefered glamourous young women as reporters. This led to suggestions that perhaps Adie was pushed.
A BBC spokeswoman said today: "She is definitely moving on from front line reporting as the BBC's chief news correspondent to be a freelance reporter.
"Adie will continue doing From Our Own Correspondent and reporting for BBC World. She is also working on a documentary profile of legendary war correspondent Martha Gelhorn for BBC4," she added.
"It's absolutely not true that she's moving on because of any remarks she's made about the BBC. If that was the case, she would no longer be working for the BBC," she said.
Adie will continue working as a freelance reporter, and will be seen reporting on BBC World, which is unavailable to viewers in the UK.
Adie leaves her £150,000-a-year post on what appears to be the verge of an imminent attack on Iraq - which would have almost certainly seen her taking a lead role in its coverage.
In her career, Adie covered conflicts in China, Libya, Kuwait and Afghanistan, and in April 1999 reported on the murder of her friend and colleague, Jill Dando. In recent times, however, she was seen to have 'fallen out of favour' with the BBC and was rarely seen on screen.
Her reknowned straight-talking was often seen as criticism of the BBC, which she said prefered glamourous young women as reporters. This led to suggestions that perhaps Adie was pushed.
A BBC spokeswoman said today: "She is definitely moving on from front line reporting as the BBC's chief news correspondent to be a freelance reporter.
"Adie will continue doing From Our Own Correspondent and reporting for BBC World. She is also working on a documentary profile of legendary war correspondent Martha Gelhorn for BBC4," she added.
"It's absolutely not true that she's moving on because of any remarks she's made about the BBC. If that was the case, she would no longer be working for the BBC," she said.
Adie will continue working as a freelance reporter, and will be seen reporting on BBC World, which is unavailable to viewers in the UK.
More: TV
More TV News
Tube Talk
'Bedlam': On set for the new seriesTube Talk takes a trip to the Bedlam set and speaks with star Lacey Turner.
TV Interviews
'Mike and Molly' Reno Wilson Q&ADigital Spy chats to Reno Wilson about Mike and Molly's wedding and beyond.
TV Ratings
'The Apprentice' final hires nearly 7mEarlier, the BBC's coverage of the Diamond Jubilee entertains more than 10m.
TV Recaps
'Homeland' finale: Have your sayHomeland's incredible finale is reviewed by Digital Spy. Share your verdict.
