One of BBC North West Tonight’s longest serving reporters is leaving the show, and the BBC, after 25 years, it has been announced.
Richard Askam’s first report on camera for the show, complete with a full head of hair, was coverage of D Day commemorations in the region, which last night’s bulletin showed a clip of to mark the news of his departure, although in recent year’s Askam is better known for his thoughts on the football, cricket, Olympics et al – during his long career he has interviewed household names such as Tyson Fury, Usain Bolt and Sir Steve Redgrave to name but a few.
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Speaking on the show, Askam said: “I can’t believe I’m saying it out loud. Yes I am leaving my North West Tonight family and the BBC after 85,000 years talking nonsense to the people of the North West.
“It’s been an amazing privilege. It’s not a transfer to somewhere else, although if somebody’s listening my fees are very reasonable. No, we’re going to see. We’re going to take a bit of time and see where the next chapter takes us.”
Outside of his life as a multi-award winning journalist and broadcaster – most recently when the North West Tonight team picked up the Royal Television Society North West 2024 Award for Best Regional News Programme – Askam is connected to a number of charities and organisations across his native North West region, frequently hosts and MCs at charity events, and has a particular interest in helping to shine a light on mental health issues.
Askam studied for his first degree in English Literature at Birmingham University, after which he spent two years teaching English in Japan under the Japanese Ministry of Education’s JET Programme, before returning to the North West to undertake a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
Askam’s fans were quick to get their well wishes in on social media following the show:
Askam’s final appearance on North West Tonight will be in the show’s Valentine’s Day edition.
Picture: Richard Askam at Mental Live, courtesy itsmental.co.uk
