TV legend announces retirement
Bob Warman (Broadcaster)
One of the best-known faces on Midlands television – that of ITV Central's legendary broadcaster Bob Warman - is calling it a day after a TV career spanning almost half a century.
Bob, who revealed his retirement to viewers of ITV Central, will present his last show on 4 July.
He is one of ITV's longest serving news anchors having presented regional news in the Central/Midlands region since 1973,
He joined in the days of Central's predecessor ATV in April 1973 - the same year which saw the end of the American War in Vietnam and when Britain joined the Common Market.
Since then, Bob has covered every single type of story from the Birmingham pub bombings to the closure of the world famous Longbridge car works - as well as fronting up charity marathons.
"I still remember one Telethon where after 24 hours of adrenaline filled broadcasting I ended up singing ‘he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother’, with Allan Clarke from The Hollies."
Bob added: "Whether it was viewers ringing in to ask me to stop, or some other reason, I’ll never know, but it raised a huge amount of money for local charities and I am proud of that."
He said: "By any measure it’s been a long stint in front of the camera and I will miss my colleagues and the hundreds of thousands of viewers who’ve remained loyal to ITV News over the years. It’s difficult to know when to call it a day, especially when I do a job I love with colleagues who are special to me. But time is running [out] and I have many interests which I want to pursue."
Bob originally joined ATV as a reporter before moving to Yorkshire Television in 1976, when he was chosen to front the regional programme for ITV News Calendar with the late Richard Whiteley.
The following year Bob co-presented the very first breakfast television programme, a three month pilot which led to the establishment of TV-AM. But the lure of the Midlands and its warm people had Walsall-born Bob returning to ATV in 1978 to present the evening programme. He has been a nightly feature ever since.
Bob, who was named as one of the 100 ‘Great Brummies’ during Birmingham’s Centenary as a city, attended preparatory school in Shrewsbury.
He was, ironically, a contemporary of BBC Midlands presenter Nick Owen before getting his journalistic start on his local newspaper The Walsall Observer when the Editor gave him three weeks to see "whether we like you and you like us". Bob later went on to join the Birmingham Evening Mail.
Nick, who was also on the Birmingham Post & Mail before embarking upon a television career, said: “I have known Bob since the 1950s, when we were little lads at school together and I am proud to call him a close friend. His career and staying power are remarkable.
“He's been at the top of his game, presenting television news programmes, for nigh on half a century and that says it all. He wouldn't have lasted anywhere near that long if he hadn't been one of the very best at the job. Congratulations, Bob, take your earpiece out and enjoy your retirement!” said Nick.
Bob’s achievements include being a recipient of the Baird Medal, The Royal Television Society’s highest honour in recognition of ‘his outstanding contribution to the Midlands television community’.
He is the President of the Birmingham Press Club - a role which he will continue to carry out - and a Life Vice President of the Journalists’ Charity. He is also a patron of Acorns Children’s Hospice.
He is also the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University.
Press Club chairman Llewela Bailey, who co-presented ITV Central’s early-evening show with Bob, said: “Bob is so much part of the West Midlands that it's hard to imagine ITV Central News without him. I was his 'screen wife' for 20-years and have nothing but happy memories of our time together. Bob is a brilliant journalist and broadcaster. He's funny, kind and always helpful, especially towards fledging journalist coming up the ranks.
“We are proud to have him as our President and wish him well in his 'retirement'.
For the past 13 years he has co-hosted ITV News Central with Sameena Ali Khan who describes Bob as a "Living Legend" and "a privilege to work alongside".
She said: "People always talk about Bob being a timeline to their life, and when you've done almost 50 years of giving people the news in the Midlands, you can see why!
"To me, Bob has been a good friend, someone to have a laugh with and someone to learn from.
"It's been a privilege to work alongside him for the past 13 years because he really is a 'Living Legend' and like many of our viewers, we'll miss him hugely."
ITV Central’s Head of News Liz Hannam said: "It’s been an honour to work with Bob, a man whose iconic status terrified me when I first joined as a trainee in 1989, but I soon learnt what a caring, principled and courteous man he really is.
"He has been a constant in the lives of Midlanders for generations. He understands and champions our region, always with warmth and good humour. He’s proud of his roots and we’re proud of him - he’ll be much missed."
Paying tribute Michael Jermey, ITV’s Director of News and Current Affairs, said: "It's impossible to overstate the enormous contribution Bob Warman has made to ITV over the decades. He will be greatly missed by viewers and colleagues alike.
"Bob has had a truly exceptional career. He's been on top of his game since he first started presenting on ATV in the 1970's, right through to being the trusted voice of the Midlands on ITV News Central in the 2020's.
"Bob is an exceptional broadcaster, a very fine journalist and a great champion of regional news. He's held in enormously high regard not only within ITV but right across the broadcast industry.
"We wish him all the very best for the future."
