Who is Alastair Stewart and why is he retiring? – The Sun | The Sun
ALISTAIR Stewart is a well-known broadcaster and journalist.
In March 2023 the news anchor announced that he was retiring after over 45 years in the industry.
Who is Alastair Stewart?
Alastair Stewart, OBE was born on June 22, 1952, in Hampshire, England.
His father was an officer in the Royal Air Force.
He attended school in St Andrews, Fife, then Salesian College in Farnborough and St Augustine's Abbey School in Ramsgate.
Alistair received his degree in economics and politics from the University of Bristol.
He then went on to work for the National Union of Students from 1974-1976.
Alistair began his career in journalism in the 1970s when he joined Southern Television in Southampton as a reporter and presenter.
He was one of the last journalists to interview Lord Mountbatten before he was assassinated by the IRA in 1979.
Alastair went on to join ITN in 1980 as an industrial correspondent and quickly became a regular newsreader.
Alastair was awarded an OBE in 2006 for services to broadcasting and charity.
When did Alastair Stewart join ITV?
Alistair joined ITN in 1980 as an industrial correspondent and newsreader.
ITN was the commonly used name for ITV's news programmes before becoming ITV News in 1999.
He spent three years as a presenter and reporter at Channel 4 News between 1983 and 1986, before going on to present ITN's News at 5.45 pm.
He moved to ITN's News At Ten in 1989, becoming the lead presenter on major news bulletins.
He has since moved between the lunchtime, evening and ten o'clock shows and presented documentaries, and special programmes and hosted election debates.
From 1993 to 2009 Alistair was the co-presenter of ITV London's regional news programme London Tonight.
On January 29, 2020, Alastair sensationally quit ITV over "errors of judgement" in his use of social media.
In a statement, the veteran presenter said: "It was a misjudgement which I regret, but it's been a privilege to bring the news to households throughout the UK for the past 40 years."
After leaving ITV, he went on to work for GB News.
Is Alastair Stewart married?
Alistair married his wife Sally Ann Jung in 1978.
He apparently met his future wife in the New Forest – once revealing it was where he "courted" her.
Alistair and his wife live on a farm in Hampshire.
Does Alastair Stewart have kids?
Alistair and Sally share four children together.
Their names are Freddie, Clemmie, Oscar and Alexander Stewart.
Alistair and his wife are passionate about charity work. Alistair remains a patron for Jacksplace Children's Hospice.
He also takes a keen interest in the welfare of other kids as the National Vice President of Action for Children.
Why is Alastair Stewart retiring?
Alistair shocked viewers when he announced that he was retiring from broadcasting.
He further shocked fans when he shared in September 2023 that he had been diagnosed with dementia.
In a statement, Alistair said:
"I'm nearly 71 and I still get the most tremendous lift from live television – it’s the best job in the world.
“However, the rigours of preparing for two live interview shows a week, and commuting from Hampshire to London for them, are considerable.
“I want to reduce my commitment while I’m still ahead as an old broadcaster, rather than an ancient one.
"Thankfully the timing is mine; I just want to spend more of it with my family, my horses, and the charities that have meant so much to me over the years.”
Source: Read Full Article